# Kenya Air Force receives AW-139 helicopters

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/03/kenya-air-force-receives-aw-139-helicopters/
- Published: 2021-03-06T14:43:49+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

Leonardo Helicopters has delivered three new AW-139 helicopters to the Kenyan Air
Force, in fulfillment of a 2018 order.

The AW-139 helicopters (KAF-1802, KAF-1804, KAF-1806) were seen transporting President
Uhuru Kenyatta in the city of Kisumu in early January this year.

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 * ![Kenyan air force aw139 helicopter](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/
   03/Kenyan-air-force-aw139-helicopter-1024x736.jpeg)
 * ![Kenyan air force aw 139 helicopter](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/
   03/Kenyan-air-force-aw-139-helicopter-1024x799.jpeg)

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at the KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani where
he is scheduled to Chair a Cabinet meeting, receive progress reports of several 
national security sector technology projects and preside over an innovation exhibition
by young Kenyan techies. (Kenyan Government)

A June [2018 report submitted to the parliamentary public accounts committee ](https://www.military.africa/2021/03/kenya-air-force-receives-aw-139-helicopters/military.africa/2018/07/kenyan-air-force-to-get-c-27j-spartan-transport-aircraft-and-some-aw139-utility-helicopters-from-italy)
by the Kenyan Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich revealed that the Kenyan Air Force
had ordered an undisclosed number of AW-139 helicopters and three C-27J Spatan tactical
transport aircraft to boost its operational capabilities.
According to the report,
the C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft were acquired for Sh20 billion (S$
198 448 276) from Italian aircraft manufacturer Leonardo.The business was financed
by a Sh6 billion ($59 million) loan advanced to Kenya’s Treasury by Italy’s UniCredit
SpA.

 military.africa/2018/07/kenyan-air-force-to-get-c-27j-spartan-transport-aircraft-
and-some-aw139-utility-helicopters-from-italy

Concerning the AW139 utility helicopters, Rotich stated in the report that “This
loan was advanced to help improve naval security surveillance along the Kenyan coast,”
The loan will also cover the construction of second runway to handle larger aircraft
at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The three C-27J Spartan has since been
delivered. The first two Spartans were [commissioned](https://www.military.africa/2021/03/kenya-air-force-receives-aw-139-helicopters/military.africa/2020/02/kenyan-air-force-receives-two-c-27j-spartan-tactical-airlift-aircraft)
into service in February 2020 and the third [delivered](https://www.military.africa/2021/03/kenya-air-force-receives-aw-139-helicopters/military.africa/2020/11/kenyan-air-force-takes-delivery-of-third-and-final-c-27j-spartan)
in October last year.The AW-139 helicopters will complement several other types 
in service including Mil Mi-171, SA330 Puma, MD Helicopters MD 500, Bell UH-1, Eurocopter
AS350.

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