IDET 2025: Czechia to Host Local Production of Roshel Senator MRAP Armored Vehicle.

At the IDET 2025 defense exhibition held in Brno, Czech Republic, the Canadian company Roshel and the Czech industrial group OMNIPOL jointly presented the Senator MRAP armored vehicle. This presentation in the Czech Republic reflects a strategic context, marking the formalization of an industrial partnership between the two companies. The collaboration has resulted in the creation of the joint venture Roshel CZ, to produce various versions of the Senator, including the APC, MRAP, and ambulance variants, locally on Czech territory.
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The Senator MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) is designed for high-threat environments where the risk of ambush and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is significant (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This initiative aims not only to address the operational needs of the Czech Armed Forces but also to make these vehicles available for export. It reflects the joint intent of both partners to establish a sovereign industrial capability capable of meeting NATO standards and ensuring regional logistical responsiveness.

The Senator MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) is designed for high-threat environments where the risk of ambush and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is significant. It features a V-shaped hull architecture intended to deflect the blast wave away from the vehicle, thereby enhancing occupant protection. It is powered by a 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine delivering 330 horsepower at 2,600 rpm and 750 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4x4 drive. With high ground clearance, 335/85/R20 wheels, and all-terrain capability, the vehicle is suitable for challenging operational environments. Measuring 6000 mm in length, 2400 mm in width, and 2500 mm in height, with a 3683 mm wheelbase, the Senator MRAP can carry up to 10 personnel.

In terms of protection, the vehicle complies with STANAG 4569 Levels 2 and 3, as verified through testing conducted by Oregon Ballistic Laboratories. It is capable of withstanding 7.62×39 mm API BZ rounds fired from 30 meters, mine blasts of 8 kg under the wheels and under the center of the hull, and side blast tests using 25 kg of TNT. It also provides protection against 155 mm artillery shell fragments detonated at a distance of 80 meters. Additionally, dynamic stability testing by the National Research Council of Canada confirmed the vehicle’s ability to maintain lateral stability at inclines up to 39 degrees on both sides without rollover.

In the Czech context, the local production of this vehicle represents a significant step in strengthening the country's defense industrial capabilities. The partnership with Roshel enables a meaningful technology transfer, contributing to national strategic autonomy. OMNIPOL Group, through its subsidiary MESIT, will play a key role in this production chain by integrating tactical communication systems into the vehicles.

This collaboration enhances the capabilities of the Czech forces with a proven platform and positions the Czech defense industry to offer competitive armored solutions to international markets. The establishment of Roshel CZ in Brno thus represents a strategic and industrial development opportunity for Czechia, amid a broader European need for land defense modernization and increased autonomy.