The South African National Defence Force finds itself at a crossroads with its ageing Ratel infantry fighting vehicles, a mainstay of the army since the 1970s that has proven its mettle in numerous conflicts but now grapples with obsolescence and maintenance woes.
As the long-awaited Project Hoefyster, aimed at introducing the Badger as a modern replacement, appears headed for cancellation after prolonged setbacks, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has taken proactive steps to explore extending the Ratel’s service life.
According to a DefenceWeb article, the CSIR, on 18 July, released a request for information under reference number 7042/04/08/2025, calling on qualified service providers to outline viable paths for upgrading or refurbishing these vehicles. This initiative seeks to tackle pressing issues like outdated components, boost overall availability, and maintain the Ratel’s effectiveness in the field without committing to a full-scale procurement just yet.
Project Hoefyster once stood as a symbol of the South African Army’s push towards contemporary warfare capabilities, with the Badger intended to deliver enhanced protection, firepower, and mobility to supplant the Ratel fleet. However, persistent delays, stemming from technical hurdles, funding constraints, and contractual disputes, have eroded confidence in the programme’s viability. With the prospect of shelving it entirely gaining traction, military planners have shifted focus to interim solutions that could sustain the existing inventory over the short to medium term. The Ratel, despite its venerable history in operations across southern Africa and beyond, suffers from wear that affects reliability and performance, prompting speculation that a comprehensive revitalisation effort could bridge the gap until a new generation of vehicles becomes feasible.
The CSIR’s request for information represents a critical phase in this planning process, designed to canvas industry expertise on modernisation strategies that could breathe new life into the fleet. Providers are encouraged to suggest either targeted upgrades or broader life-extension programmes, with responses helping to map out available technologies, industrial capacities, associated expenses, and practical rollout timelines. The document makes clear that this exercise carries no binding obligations; it serves purely as an exploratory tool to refine future requirements, and any eventual tender would follow a distinct formal procedure. No contracts will stem directly from submissions, ensuring the process remains advisory rather than committal.
Central to the request are specific enhancements that address the Ratel’s vulnerabilities. Bidders must propose ways to counter obsolescence in key subsystems, elevate vehicle uptime and ease of servicing, harmonise parts for simpler logistics, and possibly bolster armour without eroding speed or manoeuvrability. The scope encompasses vital areas such as the powertrain for improved propulsion, suspension and braking for better handling on diverse terrains, structural overhauls to reinforce the chassis against fatigue, electrical rewiring for modern compatibility, updated communication arrays for seamless integration with contemporary command networks, advanced fire suppression to safeguard crews, and supplementary armour options that uphold the vehicle’s agility. For costing purposes, companies are asked to quote a per-unit price based on an assumed refurbishment of 120 vehicles, factoring in engineering expertise, parts sourcing, workforce hours, validation testing, certification processes, supply chain management, and all ancillary expenditures. Additionally, proposals should include a phased implementation blueprint for the same quantity, detailing how the work could unfold efficiently across the fleet.
To qualify, respondents need to demonstrate prior engagement with the South African National Defence Force or related defence bodies, underscoring the emphasis on proven reliability in a sensitive sector. Submissions were due by 11 August, with the full bid document accessible through official channels for those interested in contributing ideas.
Local defence firms have already positioned themselves as frontrunners in this arena, drawing on deep-rooted experience with the Ratel to craft tailored solutions. OTT Solutions, for instance, unveiled its Service Life Extension Programme in 2022, collaborating with domestic partners to deliver a prototype that underwent rigorous mobility trials and demonstrations within months. By the following year, during the South African Army’s Vuk’uhlome exercise, the upgraded vehicle showcased its prowess in live-fire scenarios, where gunners from 8 SA Infantry Battalion, after minimal familiarisation, achieved notable gains in targeting precision and initial shot success. The programme centres on a revamped sighting system for enhanced day and night operations, featuring stabilised optics for the commander and gunner that incorporate daylight cameras, thermal imaging, and laser rangefinders to lock onto threats with greater accuracy.
A cornerstone of OTT’s approach is the powertrain refresh, swapping the original Büssing engine—weighing 1,230 kilograms and producing 210 kilowatts—for a lighter Cummins alternative at 586 kilograms that offers 270 kilowatts of output and 25 percent better fuel economy. This reduction in mass has enabled additional armour plating, elevating protection to NATO STANAG Level 2 against 7.62×39 millimetre armour-piercing incendiary rounds from all angles, up from sub-Level 1 standards, while preserving frontal resistance to 12.7 millimetre armour-piercing fire at 50 metres. Further refinements include a modern pneumatic setup, central tyre inflation for adaptable traction on varied surfaces, and an improved fire extinguishing mechanism to mitigate internal hazards. OTT’s credentials are bolstered by its history of remanufacturing Ratels for other African armed forces, proving the feasibility of such transformations in resource-constrained settings.
Jorsin, another South African entity with decades of involvement in Ratel upkeep, brings complementary strengths to the table. Its team has handled maintenance and repairs since the 1980s, securing multiple contracts from the South African National Defence Force for routine servicing and fixes that keep the vehicles operational. Looking ahead, Jorsin is innovating with experimental modifications, notably reconfiguring the layout to a mid-engine arrangement akin to its Tau 4×4 infantry fighting vehicle. This shift aims to streamline access for repairs, enhance overall dependability, and reduce downtime in the field, addressing chronic issues that arise from the Ratel’s original design after prolonged use. Company representatives express confidence in their knack for repurposing legacy equipment, describing it as a specialty in granting platforms a renewed purpose through clever adaptations. By focusing on cost-effective overhauls, Jorsin positions itself to deliver upgrades that align with budgetary realities while sustaining the Ratel’s core strengths.
Together, these domestic initiatives from OTT Solutions and Jorsin illustrate a pragmatic route forward for the South African Army, leveraging local ingenuity to extend the Ratel’s utility without the prohibitive expenses of a wholesale fleet renewal. Such programmes not only preserve combat readiness in the face of Hoefyster’s uncertainties but also nurture the nation’s defence sector, promoting job creation and technological self-reliance. For the South African National Defence Force, revitalising the Ratel could mean continued support for mechanised infantry operations, from border patrols to international deployments, ensuring the vehicles remain a viable asset in an era where fiscal prudence meets operational demands. As the CSIR collates responses to its request for information, the insights gathered could pave the way for a tender that transforms speculation into action, securing the Ratel’s place in the arsenal for years to come.
