This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
The Kenyan military is upgrading its capabilities with the delivery of six new US-made light attack helicopter gunships by December.
According to a US manufacturer, the helicopters are part of an initial order of 12 light attack and reconnaissance helicopters, which was approved by the US Congress in May 2017.
The Ksh25 billion ($253 million) arms deal was signed by Nairobi and Washington, with the six MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) MD530F Cayuse Warrior Scout and light-attack platforms initially set to be delivered between April and August.
However, the 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,” UK-based defence magazine IHS Jane's Defence Weekly confirmed on September 13.
The MD 530Fs will replace the MD 500 platforms flown by the 50th Air Cavalry Battalion of the Kenya Airforce and will constitute the core of the reconnaissance equipment supporting ground forces.
Kenya has consistently upgraded its military hardware in recent years, with Nairobi’s arms orders stoking fears of an arms race in the region.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration raised its spending on the armed forces to Ksh114.2 billion ($1.1 billion) in 2018 to stand above neighbouring Ethiopia and Uganda combined,” Nan Tian, a researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said.
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.
