Kenya Defence Forces Set To Receive 6 US-Made Choppers

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is set to received 6 military choppers from the United States of America by December 2019.

The planes are part of the $253 million arms deal that the Kenyan government signed with USA in May 2017 where the latter was to supply 12 choppers and other arms to help boost military operations. The deal also got the United States Congress approval and the choppers were expected to be delivered to Kenya between April and August 2019. There is no information given as the cause of the delay.

“We are pleased MD Helicopters was selected to provide mentorship, maintenance expertise, and Pilot and Maintainer training to the Kenya Defence Forces,” said Lynn Tilton, MD Helicopters, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “As the aircraft OEM, no one is better suited to provide the full spectrum of aftermarket operations, training, and support services to our customers.”

In a statement seen by Inversk from MD Helicopters, Inc, the shipment of the 6-aircraft MD 530F Cayuse Warrior fleet will include a U.S. Army-issued AWR.

The MD 530F helicopters will replace the MD 500 platforms that are flown by the 50th Air Cavalry Battalion of the Kenya Airforce. The new aircraft will constitute the core of the reconnaissance equipment supporting ground forces.

Powered by the Rolls-Royce 250-C30 650shp turbine engine, MD Helicopters also announced that these aircraft will feature an advanced, all-digital glass cockpit, ballistically tolerant crashworthy fuel system, Harris RF-7850A tactical radio, Rockwell Collins HF-9000D, and the full complement of mission equipment that is standard to the Cayuse Warrior.