Kenya Air Force

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The Kenya Air Force (KAF) is the national Air force of Kenya. Due to lack of combat it largely provides relief services.

The main air base hosting fighters is the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, while Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi is another major airport used by the Kenya Air Force.

1 Fleet
2 History
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Fleet

The fleet is ancient in western terms, but not worse when compared to many other African countries. Until the recent purchase of Chinese Y-12 planes, all of the aircraft were from western countries due to military aid. The fleet consists of:

Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jets (in operation since 1978)
DHC5 Buffalo transport (in operation since 1977)
DASH-8 transport (in operation since 1990)
Harbin Y-12 transport (in operation since 1999)
Shorts Tucano training (in operation since 1990)
Scottish Aviation Bulldog training (in operation since 1972)
Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopters (in operation since 1977)
Hughes 500MD helicopters (in operation since 1979)

The anti aircraft capability is formidable with Mistral anti aircraft missiles and 25, 35 and 40mm cannons all under optronic control.

Former fleet:

Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopters (in operation since 1979)
BAC 167 Strikemaster fighters (in operation since 1971)(sold to Botswana 1993-94)
British Aerospace Hawk trainer jets. (in operation since 1980) (Decommisssioned, no longer in service)
Hawker Hunter fighters (bought from RAF, in operation 1974-79)
DHC-1 Chipmunk trainers (in operation 1964-74)
DHC-2 Beaver bush planes (in operation 1964-83)
DHC-4 Caribou transport (in operation 1966-87)
Dornier Do 28 Skyservant transport (in operation since 1977)

[edit] History

Kenya Air Force was formed in 1 June 1964, soon after independence, with the assistance of United Kingdom.

After a failed coup by a group of Air Force officers on August 1, 1982, the Air Force was disbanded. Air Force activity was reconstituted and placed under tighter army control as '82 Air Force. The Air force regained its independent status in 1994. Currently it is a highly professional force with F-5 upgrade and procurement underway.

On April 10, 2006 an Harbin Y-12 plane owned by Kenya Air Force crashed near Marsabit. The plane was carrying several local and national politicians. It had 17 on board, of which 14 died. Bonaya Godana, a former minister was among the casualties. The pilot in command was Major David Njoroge