On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2025 in Brno, Czech Republic, the Canadian company Roshel Defence Solutions and the Czech Omnipol Group reached an agreement to establish local production of the Senator 4×4 multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicles, founding the joint venture company Roshel CZ for this purpose.
Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The Czech facility of the Canadian company is set to produce Senator 4×4 vehicles in mine-resistant (MRAP), armored personnel carrier (APC), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) variants. In the presence of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, members of the Czech government, and other distinguished guests, an agreement was signed to establish the Roshel CZ joint venture. This marks a significant strategic step not only for the Omnipol Group but also for the entire Czech defense industry.
“Our goal is not just production. It’s a new direction – strengthening the domestic defense industry, boosting employment, and making full use of Czech manufacturing expertise. We see this cooperation not merely as a technical partnership but as a key step in our long-term strategic development,” said Jiří Podpěra, President of the Omnipol Group.
Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The newly established joint venture, Roshel CZ, will be responsible for local production with maximum involvement of the Czech industry—particularly companies from the automotive sector and the existing capabilities of the Omnipol Group. This cooperation was guided by a clear strategic objective: to establish local production in the Czech Republic while offering a battle-proven, technologically advanced vehicle with strong appeal both in the domestic and international markets. This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen European industrial capabilities and enhance the competitiveness of defense exports.
“We see our partnership with the OMNIPOL Group as a key milestone in our global growth strategy. The Czech Republic has a well-established tradition in both the defense and automotive sectors, making it a natural choice for expanding the production of the Senator vehicle line. Our aim is to build a lasting presence that contributes to the local economy, enhances the regional defense industry, and strengthens supply capabilities across the European market,” said Roman Shimonov, CEO of ROSHEL.
Photo: Grupa Omnipol
“It’s a so-called ‘soldier-proven solution’ – technology tested directly in combat, with an emphasis on crew safety, adaptability, and ease of maintenance,” added Jiří Podpěra, President of the OMNIPOL Group.
He was referring to the experience gained during the Russian-Ukrainian war, as by September 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces—as well as other uniformed formations under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, such as the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service—had received 1,400 Senator 4×4 vehicles.
Outside of Ukraine, a limited number of Senator 4x4s have been exported to Bosnia and Herzegovina (11 units), Costa Rica, South Korea, and the United States (to the NASA space agency). Two vehicles also debuted at the 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) 2024 in Kielce.
The Senator 4×4 was designed as a high-mobility, multi-purpose armored vehicle intended for peacekeeping missions and use by security and law enforcement agencies. Its modular design allows the vehicle to be adapted for roles such as medical evacuation, riot control, command and reconnaissance, engineering operations, and detection of radiological, chemical, and biological threats.
Depending on its intended role, the Senator 4×4 provides ballistic and mine protection up to CEN B7/STANAG 4569 Level 2. The armor is based on the company’s proprietary multilayer composite protection technology, which offers effective defense against fragmentation and penetration while maintaining low curb weight. Depending on the mission profile, the vehicle can be equipped with observation and surveillance systems, thermal and infrared imaging, night vision, specialized communications, shot detection sensors, a laser rangefinder, a remote weapon station (RWS), and contamination detectors.
The vehicle was developed based on the civilian Ford F-Series. Its combat weight ranges from 7,870 to 8,970 kg. It is powered by a Ford 6.7 TD V8 diesel engine producing 400 hp.
The official public unveiling of the vehicle took place at the AUSA military equipment exhibition in Washington, held from October 8 to 10, 2018.
