Skip to main content

Canadian armored vehicles defending Ukraine: key facts about the Roshel Senator MRAP

Exterior view of the Roshel Senator MRAP armored vehicle
The Roshel Senator MRAP was developed to reflect lessons learned from modern warfare

Humanitarian mine clearance units have received a new batch of twenty Canadian Roshel Senator MRAP armored vehicles. The vehicles were delivered as part of a cooperation with the Demining Capability Coalition.

A major advantage was the manufacturer’s immediate availability of the vehicles, which made it possible to fulfill the contract and deliver the vehicles within a very short timeframe.

Today, the drone threat in operational areas requires us to act as quickly as possible, as protecting personnel remains the number one priority. Together with the Demining Capability Coalition and the manufacturer, we accomplished what seemed nearly impossible: in only three months, we completed the project to deliver 20 modern Roshel Senator MRAP armored vehicles. The new vehicles will substantially enhance the safety of our mine clearance personnel during humanitarian demining activities.
Major General Oleksandr YakovetsHead of the Administration of the State Special Transport Service

MRAP-class armored vehicles feature mine-resistant protection. They will significantly strengthen the protection of Ukrainian service members during missions to clear areas of explosive ordnance.

What is the Roshel Senator MRAP armored vehicle?

The Senator MRAP is an armored vehicle with enhanced off-road capability designed to protect the crew from mine blasts and other explosive devices. The armored vehicle was developed by the Canadian company Roshel.

Its key feature is a V-shaped hull that redirects blast waves and fragments away from the crew compartment during an explosion. This design significantly increases the crew’s chances of surviving a mine blast or an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation.

Key characteristics of the Roshel Senator MRAP

The vehicle features high ground clearance, reinforced suspension, four-wheel drive, and a powerful diesel engine, enabling it to perform effectively on off-road terrain and in demanding combat environments.

The Senator MRAP can be adapted for a range of missions, from personnel transport to medical evacuation and command-and-control operations.

Infographic showing the specifications of the Roshel Senator MRAP
The Roshel Senator MRAP armored vehicle was designed to protect the crew against mines and other explosive threats

Additional equipment includes:

  • a 360-degree protected armored capsule;
  • an all-around video surveillance system;
  • a thermal imaging system with night vision;
  • remotely controlled searchlights;
  • reinforced door mechanisms;
  • a winch and additional equipment storage compartments.

The armored vehicle is equipped with a CBRN protection system that filters chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants while supplying clean air to the sealed cabin.

The Senator MRAP’s armored steel body and ballistic glass provide a high level of ballistic protection. The blast-resistant hull is designed to withstand grenade blasts and mine explosions. The tires are equipped with a run-flat system and a central tire inflation system.

One of the best MRAP-class armored vehicles

The Roshel Senator MRAP has been certified in accordance with NATO STANAG 4569 Levels 2 and 3. This means the vehicle can withstand:

  • 7.62×39 mm armor-piercing rounds;
  • blasts equivalent to up to 8 kg of TNT;
  • fragmentation effects from 155 mm artillery rounds.

Ukraine has been receiving Canadian-made Roshel Senator vehicles since 2022. Initially, these were APC variants built on the Ford F-550 chassis. The enhanced-protection Senator MRAP variant was developed later, taking into account lessons learned from the vehicle’s use by Ukrainian military personnel.

The Ministry of Defence expresses its gratitude to the manufacturer and partners from the Demining Capability Coalition for their continued support.

The Demining Capability Coalition comprises 23 countries. Its objective is to secure international support for combat and humanitarian mine clearance operations in Ukraine.

Tags