The Kenya Defense Forces team has acquired six US-made helicopters which will be delivered in the country this December, it has emerged.
The planes are part of the $253 million (Sh25 billion) arms deal that Nairobi signed with Washington, which got the United States Congress approval in May 2017.
The six MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) MD530F Cayuse Warrior Scout and light-attack platforms were set to be delivered between April and August.
The Arizona-based US manufacturer MD Helicopters did not provide reasons for the delay in delivery to Kenya.
“Kenya will receive all six of the MD Helicopters Inc MD 530F Cayuse Warrior scout and light-attack platforms it ordered in 2018 by the end of this year, the manufacturer confirmed on September 13,” UK-based defence magazine IHS Jane's Defence Weekly said on Monday.
The MD 530Fs will replace the MD 500 platforms that are flown by the 50th Air Cavalry Battalion of the Kenya Airforce and will constitute the core of the reconnaissance equipment supporting ground forces.
The new acquisitions signal President Kenyatta’s resolve to continue upgrading Kenya’s military capabilities despite Kenya’s recent push for austerity.
“Not only does this bring peace, security and stability to a neighbouring state with which we share deep historic bonds; it also provides our nation with safety and security from terror groups and other asymmetrical threats,” the President said at the Recruits Training School in Eldoret last week.
There have been claims that DoD has been operating in old machineries despite billions allocated for upgrading of the software. In 2019/20, military spending was increased to Sh114 billion, the highest in East Africa.
Since 2011, KDF has pitched tent in Somalia with an aim of neutralising Al-Shabaab militants. While the forces have suffered setbacks, they have however managed to liberate many towns among them Kismayo.
The new acquisitions will help KDF safeguard Kenya's territorial integrity. Last week, the militants attacked Kenya troops in Elwak, killing five officers.
Further, the acquisition came days after Somalia banned direct flights to Kismayo Airport, which has been used traditionally by Kenya Defense Forces to supply arms to soldiers.
Kenya is at loggerheads with Somalia over Indian Ocean maritime dispute, with the installation of Sheikh Ahmed Madobe as Jubbaland president also causing a rift.