Washington, DC — The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kenya for MD 530 aircraft. The estimated cost is $253 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 1, 2017.
The principal contractor will be MD Helicopters, Mesa, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior
Scout Attack Reinvented Mission Capable Military
An evolution of the fabled OH-6 Cayuse light observation helicopter and known for speed, safety, agility and the ability to operate with ease in confined spaces, the Armed MD530F Light Scout Attack Helicopter delivers increased operational capabilities, greater mission versatility and superior performance in the execution of a broad range of mission profiles. Adaptable to support a wide range of training and operational missions, the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior offers a safe and efficient crew environment and mission training skills that will positively transfer to other platforms.
Also included are communications and navigation equipment, contractor logistics support, training, U.S. Government technical assistance, airframe and weapon system spare parts support, Contractor Field Service Representative (CFSR) support, and Special Assigned Airlift Mission (SAAM) flight delivery support.
The total estimated cost is $253 million.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.
AN Afghan air force MD 530F Cayuse Warrior prepares to land in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 6, 2014.
The multi-purpose helicopter will enhance scout attack, armed escort and close air attack capabilities of the Afghan air force.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Perry Aston/Released)
U.S. Approves Sale of Weaponized Helicopters to Kenya
Source: All Africa.com
East African, 4 May 2017
By Brian Ngugi
The United States government has cleared the sale of 12 new America-made light attack helicopter gunships to the Kenyan government as the East African nation continues to build up its military arsenal in the face of mounting security challenges.
The US State Department said the deal, which has been approved despite opposition to an earlier weapons purchase deal Kenya had sought from the US government, is estimated to be worth $253 million and includes the provision of MD 530F 'cayuse warrior' light attack helicopters, 24 HMP 400 machine gun pod systems, 24 M260 rocket launcher systems, and assorted ammunition.
The Business Daily has learned that the US Army Security Assistance Command is now expected to send Kenya a formal letter of offer and acceptance (LOA).
"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kenya for MD 530 aircraft. The estimated cost is $253 million. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 1, 2017," the notice said.
The list of equipment to be provided includes 12 MD-530F weaponised helicopters, 24 heavy machinegun pods, 24 M260 rocket pods, 4,032 M151 high-explosive rockets, 1,536 M274 smoke rockets, 400,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition as well as communications/navigation equipment.
Kenya will also get logistics support, training and technical assistance, spare parts and field service support and special assigned airlift mission (SAAM) flight delivery under the deal.The helicopter in the proposed sale has been used for a similar mission scope by the Afghan Air Force.
"No good"
The efficacy of the American-made light attack helicopter gunships has, however, been recently questioned, according to an interview published in the New York Times.
The influential publication quoted Afghanistan's most decorated pilot, Colonel Qalandar Shah Qalandari, saying, among other things, that the new helicopters cannot reach areas where Taliban insurgents operate from since it cannot cross the mountain ranges that surround Kabul, and that the aircraft is also dangerous to operate.
"It's unsafe to fly, the engine is too weak, the tail rotor is defective and it's not armoured. If we go down after the enemy we're going to have enemy return fire, which we can't survive. If we go up higher, we can't visually target the enemy," he said. "Even the guns are no good."
But in making the Kenya sale deal public, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale will advance Kenya's efforts to conduct "scout and attack rotary wing aircraft operations in support of their Amisom mission."
The principal contractor for the planned sale is identified as MD Helicopters, Mesa, Arizona.
