Faith Nyasuguta
Kenya has begun receiving military helicopters donated by the US, part of the agreements made during President William Ruto’s recent state visit. Two of the eight UH-1 ‘Hueys’ helicopters arrived two weeks ago and are being assembled at a hangar in the capital, Nairobi by a team of technicians from the US Air Force, Bell Helicopter, and the Kenya Air Force.
These helicopters are undergoing comprehensive tests and will be officially handed over later this year. The remaining six Hueys will arrive in August. The Huey, designed and produced by Bell Helicopter, is a versatile military utility helicopter. According to the White House, these helicopters will help bolster regional peace and security.
In addition to the Hueys, Kenya will receive eight MD-500 helicopters to enhance its participation in peacekeeping missions. The MD-500 series, developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army’s OH-6A Cayuse, includes the MD 500E, MD 520N, and MD 530F models. These helicopters will support various missions, including troop deployment, supply delivery, air assaults, and evacuations.
Ruto’s visit to the US, which marked the 60th anniversary of bilateral partnership between the two countries, covered a broad range of topics, including democracy, human rights, healthcare, climate solutions, trade and investment, and peace and security. The acquisition of these helicopters represents a significant milestone in Kenya’s defense capabilities and shows the commitment of both nations to enhancing regional security and stability.
In May, the US pledged to send Kenya 16 helicopters, including eight Hueys and eight MD-500s, to boost the country’s security operations and peacekeeping missions. Additionally, Kenya will also receive approximately 150 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles from the US Excess Defense Article stocks, expected to arrive in September 2024.
To strengthen collaboration on counterterrorism, the US and Kenya have pledged to deepen their information-sharing efforts. Kenya is also in the process of joining Operation Gallant Phoenix, a program facilitating multinational cooperation in sharing terrorist-related information.
In furthering military training and capacity building between the two nations, the Kenya Defence Forces will, for the first time, have candidates starting courses at the US Military Academy, the US Naval Academy, and the US Air Force Academy in the summer of 2024. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to deepen the legacy of military training and cooperation between Kenya and the US.
These developments signify a robust partnership between Kenya and the US, aimed at enhancing regional security and stability, while also addressing various global challenges through increased cooperation and support.
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