Project Hoefyster, which aims to replace the aging Ratel armored combat vehicles (ACV) of the Republic of South Africa Army with new Badger ACVs, isn’t doing too well, Denel said.

Due to the project’s missed deadline and the main contractor Denel’s inadequate infrastructure, Armscor recommended canceling the contract and spending the money on Ratel upgrades.

This was revealed during a presentation to the Defense and Military Veterans Portfolio Committee by defense supplies agency Armscor on February 16, 2022.

Armscor recalled that Project Hoefyster had to deliver 264 Badger vehicles in five major variants to partially replace the Ratel fleet.

These variants were command and control, armored anti-tank, armored personnel carrier, armored combat vehicle and armored mortar vehicle.

In October 2020, the authorities stated that the project was too big for Denel to handle. Not a single vehicle was delivered to the armed forces of the Republic of South Africa within the scope of the project.