"We are open to various options, including opening a production plant in Poland" [INTERVIEW]

The Canadian company Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles produces, among others, The Senator family’s armored vehicles have become famous in recent months for large and efficient deliveries of their armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. The company intends to invest even more in its production capacity by establishing a plant in Ukraine and looking for an additional location in Europe for another one. Poland may be such a starting point, which is not ruled out by the general director of Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles, Roman Shimonov. We decided to ask him about his plans for the development of the company, new projects and whether our country can be a beneficiary of it.

Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles has had a very good time in the last 2 years, receiving a lot of orders and constantly increasing its production capacity. But what did the company look like before?

Roshel has matured quickly into an industry-leading company, developing, testing, and deploying innovative products that have significantly impacted the armored vehicle industry. Our initial breakthrough came with our Cash in Transit vehicles, where we introduced pioneering technology that allowed for operational control from a central dispatch. This innovation led to substantial orders, resulting in thousands of these vehicles being deployed across North America.

Before the war in Ukraine, our focus was on creating unique, technology-driven armored vehicles with enhanced survivability features. With the onset of the war, we adapted swiftly to meet the increased demand, significantly ramping up our production capacities to support Ukraine’s needs. Throughout our journey, our core approach, values, and objectives have remained steadfast. We have accumulated extensive knowledge and have consistently strived to develop, produce, test, and deploy the safest and most reliable vehicles.

The only major change has been in our production rate, which has scaled dramatically to meet growing demands. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and quality has positioned us as a trusted provider of advanced armored solutions, capable of responding to evolving challenges and requirements.

At Defence24, we have reported on the company increasing its capacity on a number of occasions. At the beginning of the year, it was supposed to be 140 vehicles per month, which is an impressive figure. What is the current target you have set in terms of the production level?

As a fully vertically integrated manufacturing company, we maintain complete control over all processes, ensuring quality, rapid turnaround times, and the capacity to implement ongoing changes and improvements. Since the onset of the war against Ukraine, we have deployed personnel on the ground to record and document the performance of our Senator vehicles. This real-time feedback allows our dedicated team in Canada to continuously enhance and optimize our products.

This iterative approach has led to the development of multiple generations of vehicles, alongside a consistent increase in our production rate. Currently, we produce approximately 140 units per month. Our commitment to quality and innovation has resulted in a growing demand from the European Union, USA, Canada, and Ukraine. Furthermore, we are actively pursuing business development in additional markets.

Our focus is on creating the most suitable, universal, and reliable solutions for NATO member countries. By learning, adapting, and modifying our vehicles, we ensure they meet the highest standards and performance expectations. This dedication to excellence not only supports our current high production rate but also solidifies our reputation as a leader in the armored vehicle industry.

Your most important customer is currently Ukraine, which has already received over 1,000 vehicles from the Senator family. What figure (approximately) are we talking about at the moment?

Every customer is equally important to us, whether they order one unit or a thousand. We treat each customer and each vehicle with the same level of dedication because every life saved in our vehicles is equally invaluable. Just last week, one of our MRAPs encountered an 8kg anti-tank mine, and all crew members survived. The outcome of this explosion mirrored the vehicle’s performance during NATO Blast tests, providing no greater satisfaction than knowing that our team played a crucial role in bringing these brave individuals back to their families, children, spouses, and parents without injury.

To date, we have deployed over 1,100 Senator vehicles and are committed to meeting the ongoing demand to save as many Ukrainian lives as possible. Our mission is to ensure that every vehicle we produce upholds the highest standards of safety and reliability, continuously improving to meet the evolving challenges faced by our clients.

The Senator family of vehicles is constantly growing, and the mine-resistant variant (MRAP) is expected to be highly appreciated. Is there a plan to present another version soon?

Yes, this is ongoing work. We are currently developing several new models and variants, including a new generation of medical evacuation units with enhanced blast mitigation capabilities, addressing the constant demand for such solutions. Additionally, we will be introducing our new Anti-Drone vehicle, among other innovative vehicles that I cannot disclose at this time.

Our engineering team is highly professional, creative, and dedicated, achieving remarkable results through a collaborative approach. They focus on creating solutions that are not only reliable and safe but also easy to maintain and cost-effective. This approach ensures that we continue to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our clients while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance

Is putting the Senator on a different type of chassis being considered? Is there a plan to develop a vehicle with a self-supporting chassis?

Yes, we have developed a new generation of MRAP that offers STANAG Level 4 blast mitigation, featuring a monocoque design. We are currently testing this new vehicle and plan to introduce it in Poland at the MSPO show later this year. This vehicle is designed to meet and exceed the stringent requirements of most North American and European end users, providing enhanced protection and performance. Our goal is to deliver a vehicle that sets a new standard in safety, reliability, and versatility for our clients.

Is the company planning to build production plants in Europe? We are aware of the plans for Ukraine and the proposal for Germany, but maybe there are other potential destinations, such as Poland?

We are open to various options, including opening a production plant in Poland, which will largely depend on the current demand. Poland is one of our preferred locations due to its strategic position in both the automotive and defense markets. Additionally, Poland serves as a crucial gateway for supplies to Ukraine, offering significant logistical advantages. Establishing a production facility in Poland would enhance our ability to meet the needs of our clients while supporting the broader strategic objectives in the region.

It has been reported in the media that Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles is working on an 8x8 vehicle. Is this an attempt to develop a budget wheeled armored personnel carrier or is this about something else?

The war in Ukraine has highlighted many new aspects, including the critical importance of wheeled platforms. The current warfare doctrine, which emphasizes the use of drones, has shown that inexpensive drones can effectively neutralize multi-million dollar equipment. We witness this every day. Consequently, we believe that cost-effective solutions, which provide the same level of ballistic and blast protection as expensive 8x8 vehicles, are essential. This is where we are focusing our efforts and resources.

We recognize that the war in Ukraine will eventually end, and we fervently hope for an absolute victory for Ukraine. However, we also understand that threats will persist, and the advent of drone warfare is reshaping the market. Innovative and cost-effective platforms will become the preferred choice, and Roshel plans to lead this transformation in the upcoming decade. Our goal is to offer advanced, reliable, and affordable solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients.