South African defense company Jorsin has introduced its latest innovation in armored personnel carriers (APCs) with the unveiling of the Tau 4×4 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The Tau made its public debut at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition held in late September 2024 at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.
A New Era in Armored Mobility
Although the Tau may initially appear to be a 4×4 version of the renowned Ratel infantry combat vehicle, it is, in fact, an entirely new design. According to defenceWeb, the prototype was completed just in time for its AAD 2024 appearance.
The Tau can accommodate up to thirteen crew members, with ten in the rear crew compartment and positions for a driver, a commander, and a gunner in an optional turret. The vehicle features a horizontal double rear door that functions as a flip-up/drop-down ramp, facilitating easy entry and exit. Additionally, roof-mounted hatches provide alternative access points, while side-mounted armored glass windows with integrated shooting ports offer excellent visibility.
Advanced Design and Capabilities
Mirroring the Ratel’s central driver placement, the Tau avoids the need for left or right-hand drive configurations. This placement offers full frontal visibility through armored glass, significantly enhancing off-road maneuverability. A dedicated hatch provides easy access for the driver.
The Tau is powered by a Cummins 157 kW (210 hp) turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine, which drives an Allison six-speed automatic transmission through a Meritor two-speed transfer gearbox. This configuration allows the vehicle to reach a maximum speed of 115 km/h and a range of over 800 km. The Meritor fully independent suspension provides enhanced off-road mobility and superb on-road stability, eliminating the wobble that the Ratel is known for. With a ground clearance of 600 mm in front and 570 mm below the belly, the Tau sets class-leading parameters.
The vehicle’s power pack is designed to be modular and easily replaceable. It is fitted to a frame that can be rolled in and out, allowing the engine to be changed within 30 to 60 minutes. Quick connect fuel and hydraulics lines facilitate this process. A collapsible rail/frame, carried with each vehicle, can be assembled in minutes, enabling the complete power pack to be rolled out to the side without requiring a crane.
Robust Protection and Armament
Weighing in at 9,500 kg, the Tau utilizes a monocoque hull made from 8 mm armored steel to provide ballistic protection to NATO STANAG Level II standards, capable of stopping up to 7.62×39 mm armor-piercing rounds. The vehicle can accommodate a turret weighing up to 1,500 kg. At AAD 2024, the Tau was displayed with a 20 mm Ratel cannon turret weighing 1,160 kg, although other turret options can be fitted. The Tau can accommodate a full-size Ratel turret basket, making it compatible with a variety of Russian-made turrets available in the African context.
Designed for Simplicity and Reliability
Development of the Tau began last year with a focus on simplicity and reliability, making it well-suited for the African market. The APC is designed without complex electronics to ensure fewer points of failure, enhancing its operational reliability.
Jorsin is targeting the Tau at countries seeking a vehicle similar to the Ratel but with more modern features. While the vehicle does not yet have a launch customer, there is significant interest from potential clients in Africa who are looking for a modern successor to the Ratel.
This initiative also highlights the potential for local defence industries to innovate and provide solutions that meet national defence needs.
Proven Experience and Future Prospects
With decades of experience maintaining the Ratel and other armored vehicles, Jorsin has been awarded multiple contracts from the South African Army for Ratel maintenance and repair. This expertise positions Jorsin to effectively support the Tau and ensure its success in the market.
The South African Army’s Project Hoefyster, aimed at replacing its current armoured vehicles with advanced infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) known as the Badger, has faced delays and challenges, but new completion dates are now on the horizon.
South Africa’s planned to acquire 264 Badger armored vehicles in five main variants: Command, Missile, Section, Fire Support, and Mortar to partially replace the Ratel fleet is in limbo and danger of cancellation.
Defence company Denel Land Systems which is the prime contractor for the acquisition of the Badger infantry fighting vehicles under Project Hoefyster for the South African Army cannot fulfill the contract due to increasing technical and financial challenges in Denel.
South African Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise has admit that Project Hoefyster is now unlikely to happen.
Meanwhile, OTT Solutions, in collaboration with several South African defence industry companies, has developed a Service Life Extension Plan (SLEP) for the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) Ratel fleet. This initiative aims to ensure that the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) continue to support the SANDF’s operations alongside the newly acquired Badger IFVs.
