NAIROBI ( Halbeeg News) – Kenyan Military is set to receive six new choppers from US firm in next forthcoming months.
American firm MD Helicopters has announced that the US Army had contracted it to supply KDF with six MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters in what could be one of the most expensive acquisitions in the history of the East African nation battling attacks from Somali based armed group, al-Shabaab.
“We are pleased that MD Helicopters was selected to provide mentorship, maintenance expertise, and pilot and maintainer training to the Kenya Defense Forces,” Ms Lynn Tilton, the firm’s CEO, said in a statement posted on its website.
“Supported by the skilled men and women of the MD Helicopters team, our military operators have successfully flown hundreds of missions annually, maintaining operational readiness rates in excess of 90 percent. We welcome the KDF to the global MD Helicopters family and are committed to exceed the training, support, and performance expectations of both our US army and KDF customer,” Ms Tilton added.
According to Kenyan local media the choppers, which were ordered last year, are being acquired on “a five-year $1.4 billion Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.” IDIQ contracts, which are popular in engineering projects, provide for an indefinite supply of services and support over a definite period of time.
The aircraft are scheduled to boost Kenyan Defense Forces air support against deadly al-Shabaab cross border attacks mainly in the North-Eastern and coastal regions of Kenya.
Al-Shabaab carried out wave of attacks in retaliation for the incursion of Kenyan troops inside southern Somalia.
KDF pushed the group out of the strategic port city of Kismayo in 2011.
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