The company is nearing the completion of its plans to localize a portion of its manufacturing processes in Ukraine. "We are at the final stage of planning the localization of part of our production in Ukraine," Shimonov stated.
This decision comes after the company employed over 200 Ukrainian refugees since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion. These employees are reportedly keen to return to Ukraine and continue their contributions locally.
Roshel has already established several service centers within Ukraine for the maintenance of its armored vehicles, which are currently used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. "We actively work in three shifts and continue our efforts to support Ukraine. An ongoing war requires a significant number of vehicles to provide protection and mobility for the forces involved. We strive to meet these needs as much as possible, and our production rates will correspond to the contracts and support we receive from donor countries and the Ukrainian government," explained Shimonov.
The future Ukrainian plant is anticipated to fulfill orders primarily from donor countries, including the United States, which has selected Roshel as the sole supplier of MRAP vehicles to Ukraine.
Additionally, Ukraine is set to receive 50 ACSV 8x8 armored personnel carriers from Canada, with the first ten vehicles expected to arrive in Germany by the start of summer. Furthermore, Canada will also provide 450 multi-purpose SkyRanger unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine, and Lithuania has pledged 3 million euros for FPV drones. These transfers are scheduled to commence this summer.
Canada has also expressed its readiness to support NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's proposal for creating a $100 billion support fund for Ukraine over the next five years.
