# CSIR explore Ratel life-extension options as Project Hoefyster falters

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/08/csir-explore-ratel-life-extension-options-as-project-hoefyster-falters/
- Published: 2025-08-16T10:07:41+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi and Military Africa

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,](https://www.military.africa/2022/06/end-of-the-road-for-south-africas-badger-ifv-acquisition/)
aimed at introducing the [Badger as a modern replacement](https://www.military.africa/2022/02/south-africa-reassess-badger-ifv-acquisition-project/),
appears headed for cancellation after [prolonged setbacks](https://www.military.africa/2023/10/new-completion-dates-for-project-hoefyster/),
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This initiative seeks to tackle pressing issues like outdated components, boost 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.

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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.

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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.

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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](https://www.military.africa/2024/09/cost-effective-life-extension-and-improvement-of-ratel-ifv/),
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](https://www.military.africa/2022/11/battle-of-the-brigades-sandf-exercise-vukuhlome-underway/),
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](https://www.military.africa/2023/07/ott-technologies-to-deliver-remanufactured-ratels-to-an-african-military/),
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](https://www.military.africa/2025/08/jorsin-looks-to-upgrade-sandf-ratels/).
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](https://www.military.africa/2024/12/son-of-ratel-jorsin-unveils-tau-4x4-ifv/).
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.

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