Los armored vehicles have been a essential tool during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to protect troops on both sides and ensure their mobility across the dangerous front-line terrain. One of the favorites of Ukrainian soldiers is the Roshel Senatorwhich they affectionately call ‘Roshelkas’due to his reliability, speed y ease of maintenance and driving.
Manufactured by the Canadian company Roshel, from which it takes its name, it is a light armored vehicle designed on the chassis of the Ford F-550. Although it was initially developed for police and SWAT operations, it has proven to be extremely useful on the battlefield, especially in troop transport and convoy protection operationswhich have been its main functions since 2018.
Despite being armored, it is a remarkably light vehicle weighing only 10 tons, giving it a significant advantage in terms of speed and maneuverability. Equipped with a 6.7 liter 250 kW diesel enginethe Senator can reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h, which makes it a agile vehicle for the rugged terrain of Ukraine.
Lastly, it has a capacity to accommodate up to 10 passengers and two crew members and, although it is light, can withstand gun and rifle shotsand included has withstood a direct impact from a drone on the windshieldaccording to reports from Ukrainian border guards.
The connection with Ford: a maintenance advantage
The link between the Roshel Senator and Ford, one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, is a great advantage for the Ukrainian forces. The Ford F-550, which serves as the basis for the Senator, is known for its robustness and off-road capabilitywhich transfers to its armored version.
Besides, The partnership with Ford facilitates access to spare parts, as F-550 components are readily available. This means that Any problems that arise with a Roshel Senator can be quickly identified and resolvedwhich ensures greater reliability in the field.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Roshel has delivered more than 1,400 Senator vehicles to Ukrainealthough many have been destroyed in the brutal combat. At Vovchansk, for example, one was captured by Russian forces in perfect condition, although without secret technology that posed a significant threat.
