The US State Department has approved the sale to Kenya of 12 MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) MD 530F scout and light attack platforms for operations against al-Shabaab and in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Seen here in Afghan service, the MD 530F will enable Kenya to better combat al-Shabaab at the same time as supporting the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). (US DoD)
The approval for the Foreign Military Sale (FMS), which was announced by the US Defense Security and Co-operation Agency (DSCA) on 2 May, covers the 12 helicopters; 24 FN Herstal 12.7 mm (.50 cal) Heavy Machine Gun Pods (HMPs) and 400,000 rounds of ammunition; as well as 24 seven-tube M260 launchers for 70 mm (2.75 in) rockets, along with 4,032 M151 70 mm rockets and 1,536 M274 70 mm smoke rockets. The HMP has an effective range of about 1,900 m, while the 70 mm rockets allow the pilot to engage a target from more than four times this distance at some 8,000 m.
Also included are communications and navigation equipment, contractor logistics support, training, US government technical assistance, airframe and weapon system spare parts support, Contractor Field Service Representative (CFSR) support, and Special Assigned Airlift Mission (SAAM) flight delivery support. The total estimated cost is USD253 million.
“This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader, undertaking critical operations against al-Shabaab, and a troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). [It] will advance Kenya’s efforts to conduct scout and attack rotary-wing aircraft operations in support of their AMISOM mission,” the DSCA said.