Stockholm, Sweden – August 19, 2025 – In a move that promises to reshape Canada’s industrial and defence landscape, Roshel, a global leader in advanced armoured vehicles, has partnered with Swedish steel innovator Swebor to establish the country’s first dedicated facility for ballistic-grade steel production.
The announcement, made in Stockholm with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, in attendance, highlights a shared vision: leveraging Swedish expertise alongside Canada’s natural resources and production capabilities to fill a critical gap in strategic industrial sovereignty and national defence readiness.
“We are delighted to be bringing advanced manufacturing in Canada, which will leverage Canadian mined iron ore, and our domestic steel production to produce ballistic steel,” stated Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel.
“This is an excellent, new collaboration between Sweden and Canada. We are keen to advance bilateral cooperation, such as this project,” added Hans Bergman, Chairman of the Board of Swebor.
High-Value Jobs and Advanced Manufacturing
The project is set to deliver far more than steel. By creating high-value, skilled employment opportunities and introducing cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, it promises significant economic benefits for Canada’s industrial sector. A new segment within steel manufacturing will support long-term employment, foster robust supplier networks, and drive innovation across related industries—from agriculture to mining to heavy equipment production.
“This project goes beyond steel – it is about establishing industrial sovereignty. By bringing ballistic steel production to Canada, we are reducing a critical dependency, protecting our supply chain, and laying the groundwork for long-term resilience in the defence and manufacturing sectors. Roshel is actively engaged in several programs within the armoured vehicle industry, including domestic initiatives like the Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) program and Defence Arctic Mobility Enhancement (DAME) program, as well as various international contracts, all of which require substantial volumes of ballistic steel. With this new capability, we will be able to increase Canadian content in our platforms and generate additional value in meeting Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) commitments for our clients,” said Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel.
While Canada has a well-established steel industry, this facility represents the first in the nation devoted entirely to ballistic-grade steel. It combines advanced production technologies with rigorous quality standards, underlining its strategic importance to Canada’s defence industrial base. Intellectual property for the facility will be jointly held by Roshel and Swebor, ensuring shared innovation and collaboration for years to come.
“Our partnership with Roshel demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and self-reliance. This facility will not only meet Canada’s strategic needs but also exemplify how allied nations can collaborate to enhance their industrial capabilities,” noted Hans Bergman, Chairman of the Board of Swebor.
A Global First: Full In-House Armoured Vehicle Production
Perhaps most notably, this partnership positions Roshel as the first armoured vehicle manufacturer in the world to control the entire production cycle in-house—from ballistic-grade steel production to design, engineering, fabrication, assembly, and delivery. By consolidating every stage under one roof, Roshel ensures unmatched quality control, rapid scaling, and independence from vulnerable international supply chains. In a sector where durability, precision, and timeliness are paramount, vertical integration offers a decisive strategic advantage.
“This new partnership between Roshel and Swebor to produce ballistic-grade steel showcases Canada’s world-renowned capabilities—from mined iron ore to domestic steel production to advanced manufacturing. It’s creating good-paying jobs and reinforcing our economic security. At this pivotal moment of global transformation, we’re working hand-in-hand with industry and European partners to build a stronger, more resilient economy,” expressed the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada.
Technical Prowess and International Reach
The facility itself will be a state-of-the-art steel production plant, capable of producing a wide range of grades, thicknesses, hardness levels, and ballistic resistance properties. From quenched and tempered plates to high-hardness armour steel and specialised alloys for extreme performance, the plant will employ advanced heat treatment cycles, precise rolling and forming techniques, and rigorous quality assurance in line with NATO STANAG standards and other international benchmarks.
With combined expertise and proprietary processes from both Roshel and Swebor, the facility will cater to domestic and international markets alike. While the defence sector will be a primary focus, outputs will also serve critical industries including agriculture, mining, and heavy equipment manufacturing—maximizing both strategic and commercial impact.
“As Canada looks to reinvigorate our domestic defence industry, this landmark international partnership will allow Canadian steel to be used as a key component in advanced defence manufacturing. By combining Canadian natural resources with Swedish expertise, this initiative will secure our supply chains, create good-paying jobs for Canadians, and drive innovation across the broader defence and industrial sectors,” stressed the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, secretary of State (Defence Procurement).
This partnership marks a turning point for Canada’s industrial landscape, setting a new standard in innovation, strategic sovereignty, and advanced manufacturing excellence.
