Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is set to receive Sh43 billion ($418million) weapons and military aircraft after the US State Department approved a proposed foreign military sale to Kenya.
The sale to be handled by the prime contractor namely L-3 Communications, Platform Integration Division, Waco, Texas will see the government purchase 12 Air Tractor AT-802L, two AT-504 Trainer aircraft, weapons package, technical support and programme management from the US.
However, no known offset agreements proposed in connection with the potential sale has been concluded. The proposal is part of the US State Department’s more than Sh180 billion deals with UK, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kenya, which will include air-to-air missiles and threat detection systems.
The proposed sale implementation requires the assignment of at least five contractor representatives in Kenya. The proposal is part of the US State Department’s more than Sh180 billion deals with UK, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kenya, which will include air-to-air missiles and threat detection systems.
According to Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) dispatch, the deal will see the government purchase 12 Air Tractor AT-802L, two AT-504 Trainer aircraft, weapons package, technical support and program management from the US.
“The converted cropdusters will aid Kenya in the fight against al-Shabaab,”the statement from DSCA read in parts. The proposed sale will supplements Kenya’s aging F-5 aircraft as it will be more fiscally efficient and able to be pre-positioned much closer to the conflict area than the F-5 fleet.
“The weapons will go a long way in contributing to the national security of the United States as Kenya is a strong regional partner at the forefront in the critical operations against Al-Shabaab,” the statement added.
“The platform maximises the Kenyan Defense Force’s close air support ability because it is a short-field aircraft capable of using precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance,” the DSCA notice states.
It adds that Kenya has also been a troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia or Amisom. KDF and the government have embarked on the modernisation of its military aircraft and is capable of absorbing these aircraft especially with the training of several pilots in the US and Jordan where more fighter jets are expected soon.
