The Government of the Federal District (GDF) has procured six Roshel Senator armored vehicles for the Polícia Militar do Distrito Federal (PMDF). This high-profile acquisition, involving both Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) variants, reflects a broader shift in policing strategy in Brazil in response to escalating threats from heavily armed criminal organizations.
The procurement, officially reported by defense news outlet InfoDefensa on April 29, 2025, underscores Brazil’s growing concern over organized crime’s access to military-grade weaponry and explosives. With illicit trafficking networks expanding their firepower and tactical sophistication, specialized police units such as BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) and BPChoque (Riot Police Battalion) are being equipped with advanced armored platforms that mirror military-level protection and mobility.
Over the past decade, criminal groups in Brazil have evolved significantly, both in scale and capability. From Rio de Janeiro’s favelas to the heartland of the Amazon, criminal factions have demonstrated access to .50 caliber machine guns, grenades, and increasingly, drones modified to drop explosives or conduct surveillance.
Federal intelligence agencies have tracked rising instances of ambushes targeting law enforcement units, with recent attacks showing evidence of coordinated tactics resembling those used by insurgent groups. In one high-profile case in 2024, federal officers in Mato Grosso do Sul were lured into a trap and attacked with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in what authorities described as a “paramilitary-style engagement.”
This evolving threat landscape has driven the PMDF to seek solutions with enhanced protection against ballistic and explosive threats. According to internal security assessments obtained by O Globo, over 60% of Brazil’s tactical police operations in high-risk zones now involve direct engagement with criminals using military-grade weaponry.
The Roshel Senator, produced in Canada, stands out for its unique design philosophy: it’s an infantry mobility vehicle engineered for both combat and law enforcement missions. Built on a modified Ford F-550 chassis, the Senator blends ruggedness with a modular platform that can be configured for a wide range of roles—APC, MRAP, medical evacuation, command and control, and even explosive ordnance disposal.
Each vehicle delivered to Brazil includes advanced ballistic protection. The APC versions assigned to BPChoque offer Level 3 protection, capable of withstanding rifle rounds up to 7.62×51 mm NATO standard. The two MRAP variants assigned to BOPE feature Level 4 protection, certified to resist armor-piercing 7.62×39 mm rounds and designed to survive mine blasts of up to 6 kg of TNT-equivalent under the wheels or hull.
- CEN B7 protection standards in the crew compartment and engine bay.
- A military-grade winch with a 7-ton pulling capacity.
- Explosion-absorbing seats for crew safety.
- Thermal and infrared surveillance systems.
- 360-degree situational awareness via integrated cameras.
- Encrypted digital radio communications for real-time coordination.
These specifications position the Senator as one of the most capable vehicles of its kind available to civilian law enforcement in Latin America.
Brazil is not alone in turning to the Roshel Senator. The vehicle has been deployed in over 30 countries for military and law enforcement roles, including conflict zones like Ukraine and crisis regions like Haiti. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has received more than 1,700 Roshel Senator vehicles in various configurations, including the newly introduced MRAP model.
In Ukraine, the Senator has earned praise for its survivability under fire, including its resistance to FPV (first-person-view) drone strikes. Ukrainian defense officials confirmed at least one case where a Senator’s windshield deflected a direct drone impact—evidence of the vehicle’s real-world resilience.
The MRAP version, introduced in 2023, includes a V-shaped monocoque hull and upgraded mine protection up to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 3A/2b/2c. Powered by a 6.7-liter turbo diesel engine generating 330 horsepower, it has a range of 800 km and can carry up to 10 personnel.
Roshel’s client list also includes police forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which deployed three MRAP units in Sarajevo in late 2024 for use in special operations and public order support. The deal, worth approximately €1.38 million, includes future plans for additional units.
Roshel operates four production facilities in Ontario, Canada, with a combined capacity of up to 140 vehicles per month. In 2024, the company expanded into the United States, establishing a facility in Shelby Township, Michigan, to serve U.S. federal clients and improve after-sales support.
In Ukraine, Roshel has launched an ambitious initiative to begin local production. The company currently maintains maintenance and repair facilities in-country, and it plans to employ Ukrainian refugees trained in Canada to help establish a domestic production line. This initiative not only creates local jobs but also accelerates delivery timelines and lowers logistics costs.
Roshel CEO Roman Shimonov, a former member of the Israeli Defense Forces, recently proposed to the German government an immediate delivery of 100 MRAPs for Ukraine and the establishment of a German production facility. He emphasized the speed and cost advantages Roshel offers—highlighting that the Senator MRAP costs roughly €375,000, significantly less than German equivalents—and promised to deliver 400 vehicles within 2025 if approved.
The arrival of the Roshel Senator in Brasília has sparked debate about the increasing militarization of Brazil’s civilian police forces. Critics argue that deploying military-grade vehicles in urban environments can escalate confrontations and intimidate local populations, particularly in socioeconomically vulnerable communities.
Supporters, however, point to rising violence against police officers and the need for better protection during high-risk operations. BOPE and BPChoque are frequently deployed during complex arrests, drug raids, and riot control, often in areas where criminal elements maintain strong territorial control.
In a statement to local media, PMDF Commander Colonel Renato Alves defended the acquisition, saying:
“These vehicles are a protective measure—not just for our officers but also for the communities we serve. They allow us to conduct operations with greater control and less risk of collateral damage.”
Brazil’s interest in vehicles like the Senator also signals a policy shift. Historically, Latin American countries relied on surplus military equipment or low-cost imports from other regional allies. The Roshel deal reflects a move toward direct purchases of purpose-built vehicles from NATO-standard manufacturers.
Furthermore, this procurement complements a larger modernization plan by the GDF, which includes the acquisition of advanced surveillance drones, facial recognition software, and body-worn cameras. Together, these tools represent a more data-driven, high-tech approach to law enforcement.
According to government sources, additional procurement is under consideration. PMDF is reportedly evaluating the acquisition of two more Senators, and Roshel’s smaller “Captain” 4×4 vehicle—already deployed in Haiti—may also be considered for use in more agile, rapid-response operations.
Brazil is not the only Latin American country reassessing its armored mobility needs. The Chilean Army, for example, is currently evaluating the Roshel Senator as a possible replacement for its aging fleet of Mowag Famae Piraña 6×6 armored vehicles. After canceling a 2024 tender due to integration and budget issues, Chile is now looking at 4×4 and 6×6 options from multiple suppliers, including Roshel, Turkey’s Nurol, Finland’s Patria, and Italy’s Iveco.
Should Chile opt for the Senator, the purchase would likely be facilitated through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a government-to-government procurement mechanism. Legal reforms may be required to reallocate funds originally designated for 8×8 vehicles, but a formal delegation is scheduled to visit Roshel’s Ontario facilities for further evaluation.
With rising global demand for secure, agile, and highly protected vehicles, Roshel’s Senator may represent a new standard in how countries equip their domestic security forces. Its flexibility—offering protection in both conflict and law enforcement settings—gives it an edge in a world where the line between internal and external security threats is increasingly blurred.
For Brazil’s Federal District, the acquisition of these vehicles marks both a technological leap and a political statement. It signals that the state is willing to invest heavily in force protection and operational capability, even if it means adopting military technologies once reserved for battlefield conditions.
