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.
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[edit] Fleet
The fleet is ancient and tiny 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:
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[1] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma |  France
 Romania |
transport helicopter | SA-330G | 12 | 9 built by IAR |
| BAE Hawk |  United Kingdom |
trainer | Hawk 52 | 7 | withdrawn from use |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo |  Canada |
tactical transport | DHC-5D | 7 | |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 | Canada |
transport | 3 | ||
| Dornier Do 28 |  Germany |
utility | Do 28D | 4 | |
| Fokker 70 |  Netherlands |
tactical transport | 1 | ||
| Harbin Y-12 |  China |
utility transport | 24 | ||
| MD Helicopters MD 500 |  United States |
utility helicopter | MD 500M | 30 | |
| Northrop F-5 Tiger II | United States |
fighter
trainer |
F-5E
F-5F |
5
2 |
|
| Scottish Aviation Bulldog | United Kingdom |
trainer | Bulldog 103
Bulldog 127 |
3
2 |
5 built
9 built |
| Shorts Tucano | United Kingdom |
trainer | 11 |
The anti aircraft capability is formidable with Mistral anti aircraft missiles and 25, 35 and 40mm cannons all under optronic control.
In addition to the Air Force, the police air wing operates 11 aircraft.
Former fleet:
- Aérospatiale SA-342 Gazelle helicopters (in operation since 1979)
- BAC 167 Strikemaster fighters (in operation since 1971)(sold to Botswana 1993-94)
- 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)
[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
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
- The EastAfrican, june 19, 2006: Kenyatta, Kissinger and the fighter jets
- http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/kenya/ken.html
- http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ke%5Eaf.html
- http://aviation-safety.net/database/operator/airline.php?var=5882
[edit] External links
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