The Kenya Air Force is the national aerial warfare service branch of the Republic of Kenya. The main airbase operating fighters is Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, while Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi is the headquarters. Other bases include Forward Operating Base Mombasa, FOB Mandera, FOB Wajir & FOB Nyeri. The Kenya Air Force flies some two dozen F-5E/F Tiger II fighters, a dozen Tucano trainers, a dozen Y-12 transport aircraft, half a dozen G120A basic trainers, several dozen MD500 helicopters. Kenya also flies small numbers of other different types, such as Pumas, Mi-17s etc. Recent acquisitions include AW139, AS350 FENNEC, UH-1H helicopters, H124M Fennec, MD530Fs and C-27J Spartan transports. In 2017 Jordan donated 2 confirmed AH-1 Cobraattack helicopters for the air force; these together with the Army's 50th Air Cavalry helicopters are controlled by the Joint Helicopter Command based at Embakasi Garrison.
History
The Kenya Air Force was formed on 1 June 1964, soon after independence, with the assistance of the United Kingdom. Former aircraft in service included de Havilland Canada Chipmunks and Beavers, six Hawker Hunters, six BAC Strikemaster fighters, and 12 BAE Systems Hawks delivered in 1980. All these types have now been withdrawn. As a result of the war over the Ogaden region between Ethiopia and Somalia and tensions with neighboring Uganda, the Kenya Air Force ordered 10 F-5Es and 2 F-5Fs in 1976. Deliveries took place in 1978 and give Kenya's air force an interceptor capability for the first time in its history. Two F-5Fs were delivered as attrition replacements in July 1982. From 1979–1982 President Daniel arap Moi used Northrop F-5fighter jets to escort his flights in and out of the country; later commentators have pointed out that there was no threat justifying the waste of fuel and the difficult and complex requirements of the escort mission. After a failed coup by a group of Air Force officers on 1 August 1982, the Air Force was disbanded. Air Force activity was reconstituted and placed under tighter army control as the 82 Air Force. The Air Force regained its independent status in 1994. On 10 April 2006 a KAF Harbin Y-12 crashed near Marsabit with 17 on board, of whom 14 died. It was carrying several local and national politicians; Bonaya Godana, a former minister, was among the casualties. The pilot in command was Major David Njoroge. Since 1978, the F-5 has been the KAF's main air defence fighter. A total of 29 were delivered: 12 F-5E & 2 F-5F from the US, and 10 F-5E, 3 F-5EM, & 2 F-5F formerly in service with the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The ex-RJAF aircraft were upgraded to F-5EM standard before being delivered to the Kenya Air Force. There was controversy over the purchase of the F-5s from Jordan, which were shipped to Kenya and assembled locally, Currently a F-5 upgrade and procurement program is underway for 10 F-5E, 2 F-5F, and 3 F-5EM from Jordan. The helicopter fleet has been improved thanks to foreign aid. KAF received up to six Royal Jordanian Air Force AH-1Fs in 2017. The Kenyan AH-1 fleet activity remains secretive and it is believed they are probably used to train attack pilots before receiving new MD530F attack helicopters. In 2016 8 Bell Huey II helicopters were approved to be delivered to Kenya Air Force as part of US security cooperation program in sub-Saharan Africa. One of them, UH-1H-II serial KAF-1503, crashed and was written off. The Kenya Air Force 53 Tactical Helicopter Squadron has taken delivery of 6 out of 8 Huey UH-1H helicopters. Meanwhile, the KAF also received 9 AS550C3 helicopters that will be used for security operations as well as combat search and rescue, casualty and medical evacuation. Originally KAF was expected to purchase former UAE AS350Bs, but the new AS550C3s can be armed and may have been also funded by the UAE. By October 2018 photographs had emerged showing the AS550 Fennecs fitted with weapon pylons and unguided rocket pods. US government approved in May 2017 the sale of MD530F attach helicopters, they will be used for operations against al-Shabab insurgents and to support the African Union Mission in Somalia. The US government also approved a proposed foreign military sale for twelve Air Tractor AT-802L light-attack aircraft to the government of Kenya. As of August 2017, the Kenyan government has not yet signed a contract for the proposed sale. Also early 2017 Kenya signed contract for 3 C 27j & 3 AW 139 to be delivered this year The United Arab Emirates' Global Aerospace Logistics signed an agreement in 2019 with the Kenya Air Force to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for its aircraft.
