History
In 2016, Company founded in Toronto, Canada, by Roman Shimonov. [4]
In 2018, Launched the first Roshel Senator armored platform, a highly mobile, multi-purpose armored vehicle designed primarily for peacekeeping mission s and law enforcement operations. It offers ballistic and mine protection levels of up to CEN B7 and STANAG 4569 Level III, depending on its configuration and operational requirements. [5]
In 2020, Senator vehicle used by NASA to transport astronauts during the Crew Dragon mission. [6] [7] In 2022, Roshel received Ford’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) certification for chassis integration, validating that its vehicle modification processes - including chassis integration and upfitting - meet Ford Motor Company’s strict engineering and quality standards. [8]
In Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Roshel has played a pivotal role in supporting Ukrainian defense. Its Senator APCs have been widely deployed on the front lines. [9] In May 2022, Canada donated Roshel Senator vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of its military aid packages. [10]
In January 2023, Canada announced an additional donation of 200 Senators worth CAD 90 million to Ukraine. [11]
In 2024 Roshel was awarded multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) by the U.S. Department of State, totaling $130.6 million. These contracts included 330 armored vehicles—200 MRAPs, 110 additional MRAPs, and 70 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs). Awarded under firm-fixed-price terms and without set-asides, the agreements underscore Roshel’s competitiveness and readines to meet urgent international security requirements. [12]
In October 2024, a Roshel Senator APC was supplied to the Federal Police Administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina for use in patrol, anti-terror, and special operations roles. [13]
Roshel launched its U.S. operations by opening its first American production facility in Shelby Township, Michigan, on December 13, 2024, improving its ability to serve both domestic and international clients. [14] [15]
In early 2025, 20 Captain armored vehicles were delivered to Haiti to assist in law enforcement and crisis response amid growing unrest. [16]
In May 2025, Roshel delivered the 1,800th Senator armored vehicle to Ukraine, consistently supporting frontline defense since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion. [17] In July, the company made its first delivery to Moldova, providing two Senator vehicles to the Moldovan Police, funded by the European Union - marking Roshel’s debut deployment in the region. [18] Roshel entered a strategic joint venture with Czech defence firm OMNIPOL, launching localized production of Senator vehicles in Europe, thereby increasing supply chain resilience and regional readiness. [19]
In July 2025, Roshel has been certified under the Ford Pro Upfitter (FPU) program, Ford Motor Company’s newly introduced upfitter accreditation initiative that replaces the former Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program. [20]
In June 2025, Roshel announced that production had started in Ukraine. [21]
Technology Collaborations
In May 2025, during the CANSEC exhibition in Ottawa, Roshel introduced the Senator Counter-UAS vehicle, an advanced mobile platform developed in collaboration with Leonardo. The system integrates Leonardo’s Falcon Shield counter-drone suite into the Senator Pickup MRAP, combining Roshel’s battlefield-proven vehicle with cutting-edge drone detection and mitigation technologies. The platform features a range of advanced capabilities, including radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, AI-powered target classification, and electronic warfare tools. Designed to provide mobile and convoy-level protection against unmanned aerial threats, the system is also compatible with NATO command and control infrastructure, supporting integrated defense operations in complex environments. [22]
Labour Dispute
In 2023, a former employee Anton Sestritsyn made claims related to a $92 million contract facilitated by the Canadian government. Roshel has stated that a full government audit was conducted, which found no evidence of any wrongdoing. [23] As of May 7, 2023, the audit report had not been publicly released. In response to what it considers a baseless and damaging accusation, Roshel has launched a defamation countersuit against the individual and is actively pursuing legal action to protect its reputation. [24]
