As reported by InfoDefensa on April 29, 2025, the Government of the Federal District of Brazil has purchased six Roshel Senator armored vehicles for the Polícia Militar do Distrito Federal (PMDF), including both the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) variants. The APC version will be assigned to the Riot Police Battalion (BPChoque), with four units equipped with Level 3 ballistic protection, while two MRAPs with Level 4 protection will be allocated to the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE).
This procurement aims to support the operational capacity of two specialized units of the PMDF amid the growing complexity of criminal organizations and the increased availability of military-grade weapons in illicit networks. The Roshel Senator’s protection capabilities include ballistic resistance from 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm rounds at velocities of 695 m/s, fired from a distance of 30 meters. Mine protection options allow for resistance to up to 6 kg of TNT-equivalent explosives under each wheel or the vehicle’s center. The crew compartment and engine bay are protected to CEN B7 standards. Each vehicle includes an explosive gas and radiation detection system, a military-grade electric winch with a 7-ton pulling capacity, and shock-absorbing individual seats designed to mitigate the effects of explosions. The lighting system supports emergency and convoy modes.
The Senator is a Canadian 4×4 infantry mobility vehicle built on a modified Ford F-550 chassis, which includes components such as ballistic steel certified to military specifications, optional underbody protection against anti-tank mines and IEDs, and a V-shaped hull in the MRAP configuration to mitigate blast effects. In terms of observation and surveillance, these vehicles are equipped with integrated systems that include a high-resolution thermal vision camera, a long-range infrared beacon invisible to the naked eye, and multiple cameras around the vehicle for 360-degree situational awareness. The onboard communication system allows real-time data transmission to command and control centers via encrypted digital radios.