South African defence firm Jorsin is stepping forward with a proposal to upgrade the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) ageing Ratel infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), as uncertainty continues to surround the long-delayed Hoefyster project.
By Jarryd Sinovich
At the core of Jorsin’s concept is a mid-engine reconfiguration of the Ratel, inspired by its new Tau 4×4 IFV, aimed at improving reliability and ease of maintenance. This comes as the SANDF faces mounting pressure to modernise its mechanised fleet amid concerns that Hoefyster—meant to replace the Ratel with the Badger IFV—could be shelved.
“We’ve been working on these vehicles for decades,” said Jorrie Jordaan, founder of Jorsin. “Giving something a second chance at life with conversions is what we do best.”
The Ratel has served as the backbone of the South African Army since the 1970s, but the fleet is now over 40 years old and showing its age. Delays in the Hoefyster programme have left the SANDF without a clear path forward, prompting renewed focus on life-extension solutions.
Jorsin, established in 1997, has extensive experience with the Ratel platform, having maintained and repaired the vehicles since the 1980s. The company has earned the SANDF’s trust through its consistent delivery of quality work and innovative approaches, including reverse-engineering scarce parts to keep the fleet operational.
This expertise is now in demand beyond the SANDF—Jorsin is also supplying parts to a local firm refurbishing six Ratels for export to an undisclosed African country.
In parallel, Jorsin is exploring more extensive upgrades to the Ratel, drawing on lessons from the Tau IFV, unveiled at AAD 2024. Though visually similar to a compact Ratel, the Tau is a completely new design, built for modern battlefield requirements with features like a rear ramp, roof hatches, shooting ports, and space for up to 13 crew.
Meanwhile, OTT Solutions is also supporting the SANDF with its own Service Life Extension Plan (SLEP) launched in 2022, further reinforcing the shift toward extending the Ratel’s lifespan amid the continued delays in the Hoefyster programme.
As a decision on Hoefyster’s future is expected later this year, Jorsin believes its homegrown upgrade solution could offer the SANDF a cost-effective and practical bridge to future capability—leveraging local industry, proven expertise, and existing assets to meet immediate needs.
