Kenya wants to buy 12 armed MD 530F helicopters

Kenya Defence Forec has requested the purchase of 12 MD 530F helicopters from the United States, at a proposed cost of $253 million including weapons, ammunition and support.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 2 May announced that the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kenya for the helicopters, with the DSCA notifying Congress of the possible sale on 1 May.

The deal would include the helicopters, to be supplied by MD Helicopters, as well as 24 Heavy Machine Gun Pod (HMP) 400 systems; 24 M260 rocket launchers; 4 032 M151 rockets; 1 536 2.75-inch M274 smoke signature warhead rockets; and 400 000 rounds of .50 calibre ammunition.

The MD 530G Light Scout Attack Helicopter is the latest in a lineage that spans more than 60 years of industry-leading scout-attack helicopter evolution. Born from the combat-proven MD 530F airframe, the MD 530G is the newest addition in MD Helicopters' line of purpose driven scout attack helicopters. -- MD 530F helicopter

According to the manufacturer, The helicopter comes with modern technology coupled with enhanced agility and firepower to undertake airborne combat role. The MD 530G can be used for 

• Scout
• Reconnaissance
• Fire-support
• Close Air support
• Artillery spotting and troops transport

ESTIMATED PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES

MAX GROSS WEIGHT: INT

3,300 LB

MAX GROSS WEIGHT: EXT

3,750 LB

USEFUL LOAD

2,159 LB

HOVER-IN GROUND EFFECT

16,000 FT

HOVER-OUT GROUND EFFECT

14,400 FT

MAX CRUISE SPEED

135 KT

SERVICE CEILING

16,000 FT

RANGE

260 NM