PHOTOS: KDF Fighter Chopper which has crashed in Machakos killing Two

Two people were killed on Monday after a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crashed in Kenya’s Machakos County, the force said.

“Today 13th July, 2020, at around 1130hrs, a Kenya Army helicopter (Hughes 500MD), crashed in the general area of Kithyoko, Machakos County,” a KDF statement said.

“The aircraft was on a training flight. Onboard were two pilots who have since been evacuated from the crash site.”

In January this year, six MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters purchased from the United States.

Mwathethe, the Chief of KDF at that time expressed appreciation for Kenya’s military partnership with the United States to U.S.

Army Major General Michael Turello, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), flew into the country to hand over the choppers.

“In getting the MD-530 aircraft we are proving ourselves as an effective force multiplier on the battlefield,” Mwathethe said, according to U.S. Africa Command.

“The successful delivery of these assets could not have come at a better time for us.”

CJTF-HOA supports the Kenya Defence Forces in its fight against the Somalia-based al-Shabaab Islamist militant group. Kenya contributes to the African Union’s AMISOM mission against the group.

“The six MD-530F helicopters are emblematic of the decades-long security partnership between Kenya and the United States. These helicopters are tangible examples of our joint commitment to the fight against terrorism, and Kenya’s willingness to invest in its own security,” U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter said.

“The United States is here to support the KDF’s ongoing modernization efforts and realize our mutual security objectives in the region.”

Based on the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse single-engine light helicopter, the MD 530F delivers increased operational capabilities, greater mission versatility and superior performance in the execution of a broad range of mission profiles, according to the company.

Please follow and like us:

Related