• About Us
  • Archives
  • SWG Registration
Samrack Media
Mahiga Homes
  • Home
  • ALL NEWS
  • Diaspora
  • Africa
    • AFRICA
    • KENYA
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS
    • INVESTMENTS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • Politics
  • Health
    • HEALTH
    • EDUCATION
  • Religion
  • People
    • PEOPLE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • RELATIONSHIPS
  • Obituaries
  • Videos
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • ALL NEWS
  • Diaspora
  • Africa
    • AFRICA
    • KENYA
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS
    • INVESTMENTS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • Politics
  • Health
    • HEALTH
    • EDUCATION
  • Religion
  • People
    • PEOPLE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • RELATIONSHIPS
  • Obituaries
  • Videos
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Samrack Media
No Result
View All Result

Kenya’s security efforts propped up by arms deal

samrack by samrack
May 4, 2017
in Africa, Business, Kenya, Kenya Diaspora News, News, Trending Elsewhere, U.S Diaspora, War on Terror
A A
0
Kenya’s security efforts propped up by arms deal
Share this
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsAppLinkedIn
Kenya Defence Forces soldiers launch a rocket-propelled grenade at their camp in Somalia on February 11, 2017 as the war against Al-Shabaab continues. The purchase of military equipment from the US has been approved. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

Kenya’s security efforts propped up by arms deal

The United States government has cleared the sale of 12 new American-made light attack helicopter gunships to Kenya as the East African nation continues to build up its military arsenal in the face of mounting security challenges.

The deal has been approved despite opposition to an earlier weapons purchase deal Kenya had sought from Washington.

The US State Department said it is estimated to be worth $253 million (Sh25 billion) and includes MD530F Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters, machine gun pod systems, rocket launcher systems and assorted ammunition.

SHABAAB WAR
Sources said the US Army Security Assistance Command was expected to send Kenya a formal letter of offer and acceptance (LOA).

Kenya must then decide to accept the terms or not.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a May 2 statement that the latest sale will go towards helping Kenya “modernise its rotorcraft fleet in order to improve border security, undertake operations against Somalia-based jihadist group Al-Shabaab and as a troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom).”

DSCA added: “The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 1, 2017.”

LOGISTICS SUPPORT
The equipment to be supplied include 12 MD530F weaponised helicopters, 24 heavy machinegun pods, 24 HMP400 machine gun pod systems, 24 M260 rocket pods and 4,032 M151 high-explosive rockets.

Others are 1,536 M274 smoke rockets, 400,000 rounds of .50 calibre ammunition and communications/navigation equipment.

Kenya will also get logistics support, training and technical assistance, spare parts and field service support and special assigned airlift mission (SAAM) flight delivery under the deal.

The helicopter in the proposed sale has been used for a similar mission scope by the Afghan Air Force.

The efficacy of the gunships has, however, been recently questioned, according to an interview in the New York Times.

UNSUITABLE WEAPONRY
The influential publication quoted Afghanistan’s most decorated pilot, Colonel Qalandar Shah Qalandari, saying, among other things, that the new helicopters cannot reach areas where Taliban insurgents operate from since it cannot cross the mountain ranges that surround Kabul.

“It’s unsafe to fly, the engine is too weak, the tail rotor is defective and it’s not armoured,” Col Qalandari said.

“If we go down after the enemy we’re going to have enemy return fire, which we can’t survive. If we go up higher, we can’t visually target the enemy. Even the guns are no good.”

But in making the Kenya deal public, DSCA said the proposed sale will advance Kenya’s efforts to conduct “scout and attack rotary wing aircraft operations in support of their Amisom mission”.

HARDWARE UPGRADING

The MD530F will also replace Kenya’s ageing MD500 fleet, which constitutes the core of the reconnaissance equipment supporting the ground forces, DSCA added.

“This sale will significantly enhance the Kenyan Army’s modernisation efforts and increase interoperability with the US Armed Forces and other partners in the region,” the agency said.

The principal contractor for the planned sale is MD Helicopters, Mesa, Arizona.

Execution of the proposed sale will require the assignment of approximately 12 additional contractor representatives for a period of 12 months.

Kenya has consistently upgraded its military hardware in recent years, raising its spending on the armed forces to Sh96 billion last year to stand above those of neighbouring Ethiopia and Uganda combined, a global report says.

Source:Daily Nation

 

Tags: Kenya's security efforts propped up by arms deal
Previous Post

The rise of Kenya’s independent candidates and IEBC’s headache

Next Post

Kenya rolls out anti-retroviral drug to curb HIV infection

Related Posts

I received death threats for taking photo with Raila- Woman
Diaspora

I received death threats for taking photo with Raila- Woman

May 22, 2022
Man Claiming to be Kibaki’s Biological Son Demands a Share of His Wealth
Kenya

Man Claiming to be Kibaki’s Biological Son Demands a Share of His Wealth

May 22, 2022
Kenyan Man Wanted in the US over Fraud Granted Bail Pending Extradition Proceedings
Kenya

Kenyan Man Wanted in the US over Fraud Granted Bail Pending Extradition Proceedings

May 22, 2022
DP Ruto picks Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate
Kenya

DP Ruto picks Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate

May 15, 2022
Muteshi Land Grabbing Case Haunts Ruto
Business

Muteshi Land Grabbing Case Haunts Ruto

May 13, 2022
Boyfriend of Missing US-based Kenyan Woman Considered a ‘Person of Interest’ in Her Disappearance
Diaspora

Boyfriend of Missing US-based Kenyan Woman Considered a ‘Person of Interest’ in Her Disappearance

May 13, 2022
Next Post
Kenya rolls out anti-retroviral drug to curb HIV infection

Kenya rolls out anti-retroviral drug to curb HIV infection

Please login to join discussion
Job Openings Below is a list of current job openings at Northeast Clinical Services, Inc.. Please click on an opening in the list to view details and apply. Job Openings Below is a list of current job openings at Northeast Clinical Services, Inc.. Please click on an opening in the list to view details and apply. Job Openings Below is a list of current job openings at Northeast Clinical Services, Inc.. Please click on an opening in the list to view details and apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest News

I received death threats for taking photo with Raila- Woman

Man Claiming to be Kibaki’s Biological Son Demands a Share of His Wealth

Kenyan Man Wanted in the US over Fraud Granted Bail Pending Extradition Proceedings

DP Ruto picks Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate

Muteshi Land Grabbing Case Haunts Ruto

Boyfriend of Missing US-based Kenyan Woman Considered a ‘Person of Interest’ in Her Disappearance

Five Reasons Why Real Estate Increases in Value

Kenya:9,484 children were defiled last year— Health ministry

Standoff at JKIA After Family Refuses to Pick Body of Kin Who Died in Saudi Arabia

Kenyan Nurse Wins Sh29 Million Global Nursing Award in Dubai

We are grateful for your monthly or one-off donations To Samrack Media: Cash App No: 781-888-8770 $SAMRACK001

Money

New Digital Skills Helps Unemployed Kenyan Youth Earn In Cryptocurrency

New Digital Skills Helps Unemployed Kenyan Youth Earn In Cryptocurrency

by samrack
November 19, 2021
0

New Digital Skills Helps Unemployed Kenyan Youth Earn In Cryptocurrency This week sees the launch of a new initiative to equip...

A simple guide to Government Bonds investing in Kenya

A simple guide to Government Bonds investing in Kenya

by samrack
September 17, 2021
0

A simple guide to Government Bonds investing in Kenya A treasury bond (T-bond) is a medium term to long term...

Politics

GOVERNOR MUTUA’S BIG BLOW AS TRIBUNAL STOPS HIM FROM EXITING AZIMIO LA UMOJA ONE KENYA COALITION!!

GOVERNOR MUTUA’S BIG BLOW AS TRIBUNAL STOPS HIM FROM EXITING AZIMIO LA UMOJA ONE KENYA COALITION!!

by samrack
May 11, 2022
0

GOVERNOR MUTUA'S BIG BLOW AS TRIBUNAL STOPS HIM FROM EXITING AZIMIO LA UMOJA ONE KENYA COALITION!!   Governor Alfred Mutua’s...

You are free to use Nairobi expressway from next Saturday – Uhuru

You are free to use Nairobi expressway from next Saturday – Uhuru

by samrack
May 8, 2022
0

You are free to use Nairobi expressway from next Saturday - Uhuru Other than the ban on photography, skaters, pedestrians,...

  • About Us
  • Archives
  • SWG Registration

© 2021 SAMRACK - Diaspora News & Updates; design by: Samrack.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • ALL NEWS
  • Diaspora
  • Africa
    • AFRICA
    • KENYA
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS
    • INVESTMENTS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • Politics
  • Health
    • HEALTH
    • EDUCATION
  • Religion
  • People
    • PEOPLE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • RELATIONSHIPS
  • Obituaries
  • Videos
  • Events

© 2021 SAMRACK - Diaspora News & Updates; design by: Samrack.

Page generated in 0.999 seconds. Stats plugin by www.blog.ca