Kenya has begun receiving military helicopters donated by the US as part of the benefits from President William Ruto’s recent state visit. Two out of the eight UH-1 ‘Hueys’ helicopters expected have arrived two weeks ago and are currently undergoing assembly at the Embakasi Garrison hangar in Nairobi.
A team of technicians from the US Air Force, along with experts from the manufacturing company and the Kenya Air Force, is overseeing the assembly process. These helicopters will undergo rigorous testing before their official handover later this year.
The remaining six Huey helicopters are scheduled to be shipped next month. The Huey is a utility military helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter and is renowned for its versatility and reliability in various operational scenarios. The White House has stated that these helicopters will bolster regional peace and security efforts.
In addition to the Hueys, Kenya will also receive eight MD-500 helicopters from the US. The MD-500 series includes light utility helicopters used in both civilian and military applications. They are known for their agility and effectiveness in missions such as troop deployment, supply delivery, and air assaults.
These acquisitions are seen as a significant enhancement to Kenya’s defense capabilities and reflect the longstanding partnership between Kenya and the US in promoting regional stability. Ruto’s visit to the US coincided with the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two nations, underscoring their mutual commitment to democracy, human rights, healthcare, climate solutions, trade, investment, peace, and security.
