Ukraine gets another batch of Canadian Roshel Senator MRAP armored vehicles
According to Ukrainian Front on October 21, 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have recently taken delivery of a shipment of Senator MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) armored vehicles, which are manufactured by the Canadian company Roshel. According to statements from Roman Shimonov, the CEO of Roshel, Ukraine has procured a total of over 750 Senator vehicles, including more than 300 MRAP, a variant launched in the first quarter of 2023.
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Ukraine already received hundreds of Roshel Senator armored vehicles, including the latest MRAP variant (Picture source: Twitter and Roshel)
The Senator family of armored vehicles also encompasses the Senator APC, an armored personnel carrier primarily designed for law enforcement and border patrol operations, and the Senator ERV, which is tailored to provide emergency response and rescue services and can be equipped with a hydraulic ram bar system.
Roshel, a Canadian company founded in 2016, introduced the armored personnel carrier variant of the Senator in 2017, while the MRAP version was launched in the first quarter of 2023. Notably, the MRAP variant has already generated significant interest and has been procured by countries such as Costa Rica and South Korea, as revealed during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2023 annual conference in Washington, DC.
As a recently launched vehicle, the Senator MRAP is logically among the most advanced MRAPs on the market, featuring the widespread use of lightweight composite materials and incorporating advanced thermal and acoustic insulation materials. The Senator's design includes a V-shaped hull that provides 360° ballistic protection, conforming to STANAG 4569 level 2a/2b standards. It is also equipped with a thermal camera featuring night vision capabilities and an infrared spotlight. The vehicle has impressively demonstrated side slope capabilities, consistently reaching a 39° angle on both sides during tests conducted by the National Research Council of Canada.
One of the standout features of the Senator MRAP is its V-shaped body design, which is engineered to maximize mine protection. Multiple tests, including ballistic and blast evaluations conducted by the Oregon Ballistic Laboratories, a certified institution for STANAG certifications, have demonstrated its effectiveness. For instance, it can withstand an explosion from an anti-tank mine filled with 6 kg of explosives, originating from under any wheel or the center of the vehicle. Additionally, the Senator MRAP features bulletproof windows, armored doors with reinforced hinges and latches, mine-protected seats with four-point seat belts, firing ports, a gunner's seat, and cameras that provide the driver with a 360° field of vision.
The Senator MRAP is designed to integrate third-party payloads, such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, UAV platforms, remote-controlled weapon systems, or a smoke screen system. In terms of standard armament, the vehicle allows for the use of a remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS) as well as a mechanical or electric turret, which can be armed with machine guns, grenade launchers, or anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
Based on the heavy-duty Ford F-550 commercial platform, the vehicle features a four-wheel drive (4WD) configuration with run-flat tires. It is powered by a 6.7L turbo diesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 330 horsepower at 2,600 rpm and 750 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. The Senator MRAP can accommodate up to 10 individuals, offers a payload capacity ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 kg, and provides an operational range of up to 800 km, thanks to a fuel capacity of 257 liters. The vehicle measures 6 m in length, 2.4 m in width, and 2.5 m in height, with a wheelbase of 3,683 mm and a turning radius of 5,3 m.
The Roshel Senator MRAP armored vehicle could be armed with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) to further enhance the crew's safety (Picture source: Roshel)
