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
