# Kenya opens pilot training facility ‘Aviation Centre of Excellence’

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2022/04/kenya-opens-pilot-training-facility-aviation-centre-of-excellence/
- Published: 2022-04-09T10:51:21+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta opened a new pilot training facility called the 
Aviation Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Laikipia Air Base on 7 April.

ACE is a state-of-the-art military training facility for Kenya Air Force pilots 
and technical personnel developed by KDF as part of the ongoing modernisation of
Kenya’s defence and security capabilities.

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“This academy shows that our focus is not on hardware alone,” Kenyatta said during
the event. “Any modern and progressive military must emphasize quality training,
which is a critical force multiplier for mission attainment.”

The new facility ACE will be used by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and other government
agencies, as well as offering training to civilian companies such as Kenya Airways,
and other East African countries.

ACE commandant Colonel Mohamud Farah described the new facility as a successor to
the flying school the Kenya Air Force (KAF) set up in 1964.

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“I challenge the Centre to tap into the East African Community and beyond by way
of offering aviation training. This should not be limited to security sector actors
but should be extended to civilian entities such as Kenya Airways and other airlines,
who are also in critical need of highly qualified aviators,” the President said.

The Head of State said KDF had received several new air systems and announced plans
to acquire ultra-modern maritime air surveillance capabilities aimed at augmenting
the military’s power to handle emerging national security threats

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“These efforts will ensure that our defence forces are well-equipped to fulfill 
their constitutional mandate of guaranteeing national security. Moreover, these 
enhanced capabilities will extend Kenya’s ability to support disaster mitigation
efforts in Kenya and regionally,” he said.

Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi acknowledged President Kenyatta Government
for the sustained investment in the military noting that the newly commissioned 
Aviation Centre of Excellence will help in lowering the cost of training military
aviators.

Cabinet Secretaries Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Peter Munya (Agriculture) and Laikipia
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi were among several senior Government officials and military
officers at the commissioning ceremony.

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