The war against al-Shabaab in the country received a major boost after the US donated 12 amoured vehicles (APCs) to the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).
The sophisticated vehicles were handed to KDF Commander Major General Thomas Chepkuto by US Senior Defense Official Colonel Kevin Balisky.
In a statement, US said the vehicles would protect the servicemen from planted explosives among other projectiles lodged against them while in the battlefield.
The US supports the Kenya Defence Forces and its efforts to secure borders and advance peace in the region. To help achieve these goals, today we presented 12 Bastion Armored Personnel Carriers to Deputy Kenya Army Commander Major General Chepkuto. #USKEPartnership pic.twitter.com/AItwfOaMnb
— Ambassador Bob Godec (@BobGodec) November 19, 2018
“The APCs will support KDF’s efforts in the fight against extremists including the use of improvised explosive devices (IED) along the border region. Defeating the threat of IEDs is a critical component of denying violent extremists’ freedom of movement,” the statement read.
The four wheeled Bastion APC can carry up to 10 soldiers 2. Anti-personnel and anti-tank mines and side explosives 3. Blast protection technology with the mobility of a light armoured vehicle 4. Multi-mission capable and ideal for reconnaissance (locating an enemy) 5. Front electric winch and central tire inflation system.
Designed with 2,7 mm machine gun circular station and fitted with swivel station for 7,62 mm machine gun or 40 mm grenade launcher. They can be used for patrol, escort, route clearance support, peacekeeping and close quarters operations.
The donation came two months after several APCs procured from China were reduced to scrap metal after running over explosives.
Several soldiers died while others were injured following the explosions the vehicles were expected to withstand but failed.
According to the US, the 12 APCs are manufactured via cutting edge technology and will be able to withstand any type of IEDs.
Do you agree these new vehicles will boost our defence forces better?