Kenya to Receive 16 Helicopters and 150 Armored Vehicles from the U.S.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Kenya will receive 16 U.S.-manufactured helicopters and 150 armored vehicles to boost security and peacekeeping efforts, arriving between late 2024 and 2025.
• The U.S. and Kenya are enhancing counterterrorism collaboration and military training, with Kenya joining Operation Gallant Phoenix and sending candidates to U.S. military academies.

Kenya is set to receive 16 U.S.-manufactured helicopters to enhance its security operations and peacekeeping missions. 

This initiative is part of the support extended to Kenya by President Joe Biden’s administration following President William Ruto’s state visit to Washington.

A statement released by the White House on Thursday detailed that the 16 helicopters include eight Hueys aimed at bolstering regional peace and security, along with eight MD-500s to enhance Kenya’s participation in peacekeeping missions. 

Read Also:

Omtatah Files Court Case to Stop Finance Bill 2024 Public Participation

Gathoni Wamuchomba Blasts Anne Waiguru for Defending Failures in Kenya Kwanza Gov’t

Mutahi Kahiga Voices on Alleged Mistreatments Gachagua is Facing in Kenya Kwanza Govt

These aircraft are expected to arrive in Nairobi between late 2024 and 2025.

In addition to the helicopters, Kenya will receive approximately 150 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles from the U.S. Excess Defense Article stocks, projected to arrive in September 2024. 

To further strengthen counterterrorism efforts, both nations have pledged to deepen their information-sharing capabilities. 

Kenya is also in the process of joining Operation Gallant Phoenix, a program that promotes multinational cooperation in sharing terrorist-related information. 

This program aims to build mutual capacity to collect and use battlefield evidence in civilian criminal justice proceedings in a multiagency, multinational setting. 

These initiatives are expected to help both countries better protect their borders and citizens from terrorist threats.

As part of an ongoing legacy of military training and capacity building between the two countries, the summer of 2024 will see the Kenya Defence Forces sending candidates to start courses at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. 

Read Also:

Concern Rises As Red Eye Disease Spreads To Other Busia Sub Counties

Lioness Caught on CCTV Entering Residence in Rongai

Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy for the first time. This initiative aims to build on the tradition of Kenyan general officers benefiting from U.S. International Military Education Training courses.

The U.S. military currently has seven advisors in Kenya supporting Kenyan aviators. For the first time, the United States is also providing a Strategic Logistics Advisor to Kenya’s Ministry of Defence, as stated by the White House.