US government has cleared the purchase of 12 new American made light attack helicopter gunships to boost the Kenya’s military air capabilities. According to Kenya Defence Forces sources, the new attack helicopters; MD530F are set to replace ageing MD500 fleet. The deal has been approved despite opposition to an earlier weapons purchase deal Kenya had sought from Washington. The deal includes the purchase of 12 MD530F Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters, machine gun pod systems, rocket launcher systems and assorted ammunition. In total, KDF will receive 12 MD530F weaponries helicopters, 24 heavy machinegun pods, 24 HMP400 machine gun pod systems, 24 M260 rocket pods and 4,032 M151 high-explosive rockets.

Source: The Star May 08, 2017 06:00 UTC