This archive report was first published on 12 June 2021.
Kenya has made history by becoming the third country in the world to acquire the Hizir 4x4 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles, a deal worth Sh7.7 billion.
The vehicles, which will be delivered over the next two years, are designed to provide advanced protection for personnel and can be used in various operations, including combat, reconnaissance, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense.
According to Furkan Katmerci, the deputy chairman of the Turkish defense contractor, the Hizir 4x4 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle has been hailed all over Africa, and the company's expansion in the African market continues.
The vehicle has a maximum speed of 120km/h and can be equipped with various weapons, including a 12.7mm machine gun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, or 7.62mm machine gun.
The Kenyan Defense Force (KDF) has been losing soldiers to improvised explosive devices and other threats, and the acquisition of these vehicles is expected to improve the survivability of its troops deployed in the fight against al-Shabaab militants from Somalia.
As reported by the KDF Spokesperson Zipporah Kioko in January, the country is focused on ensuring the survivability of its troops, and the acquisition of these vehicles is a critical step in achieving this goal.
