Kenya Army

The acquisition of [[T-72]]s has caused significant controversy. Thirty-three vehicles ordered from Ukraine were hijacked by [[Piracy in Somalia|Somali pirates]].{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7639090.stm |title=Africa | Pirates 'want $35m for tank ship' |work=[[BBC News]] |date=27 September 2008 |access-date=10 July 2017}} The [[Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)|Ukrainian Defence Minister]] [[Yuriy Yekhanurov|Yury Yekhanurov]] confirmed 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks and "a substantial quantity of ammunition" were aboard the captured cargo ship, called the ''Faina''". The ship they were being carried in, [[MV Faina|MV ''Faina'']] was released and the tanks unloaded in the port city of Mombasa in February 2009. There have been doubts expressed as to whether the T-72s imported by Kenya are intended for use by the Kenyan Army. Instead, popular opinion is that they were being clandestinely imported for the (South) [[Sudan People's Liberation Army]], which has an arms embargo against it.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-pirates30-2008sep30,0,627952.story |title=Cargo prompts doubts on hijacked ship's destination |website=Los Angeles Times |date=4 March 2009 |access-date=10 July 2017}}

The acquisition of [[T-72]]s has caused significant controversy. Thirty-three vehicles ordered from Ukraine were hijacked by [[Piracy in Somalia|Somali pirates]].{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7639090.stm |title=Africa | Pirates 'want $35m for tank ship' |work=[[BBC News]] |date=27 September 2008 |access-date=10 July 2017}} The [[Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)|Ukrainian Defence Minister]] [[Yuriy Yekhanurov|Yury Yekhanurov]] confirmed 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks and "a substantial quantity of ammunition" were aboard the captured cargo ship, called the ''Faina''". The ship they were being carried in, [[MV Faina|MV ''Faina'']] was released and the tanks unloaded in the port city of Mombasa in February 2009. There have been doubts expressed as to whether the T-72s imported by Kenya are intended for use by the Kenyan Army. Instead, popular opinion is that they were being clandestinely imported for the (South) [[Sudan People's Liberation Army]], which has an arms embargo against it.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-pirates30-2008sep30,0,627952.story |title=Cargo prompts doubts on hijacked ship's destination |website=Los Angeles Times |date=4 March 2009 |access-date=10 July 2017}}

The KDF attempted to dispel speculation by publicly showing these tanks (and other hardware) as part of its arsenal on 22 August 2010, during rehearsals for the passing of the new [[Constitution of Kenya]].{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/995068/-/wcijn1/-/index.html |title=IN PICTURES: MILITARY ALL SET FOR 27 AUG – Daily Nation |website=Nation.co.ke |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=10 July 2017}} Nevertheless, a cloud of doubt hung over the intent of the tank acquisition. The [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] indicated that an ongoing process of armaments purchases on behalf of the Southern Sudanese government by the Kenyan government was "a badly kept secret."{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201012110008.html|title=Sudan "arm-twisted govt" to get tanks|publisher=All Africa.com|date=10 December 2010|access-date=4 October 2011}} The leaks go on to speculate that these clandestine operations were motivated by the Kenya political leadership's desire to support Southern Sudan, but not in a way that would openly provoke Khartoum or potentially threaten South Sudan's eventual independence. The link is wrong.

The KDF attempted to dispel speculation by publicly showing these tanks (and other hardware) as part of its arsenal on 22 August 2010, during rehearsals for the passing of the new [[Constitution of Kenya]].{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/995068/-/wcijn1/-/index.html |title=IN PICTURES: MILITARY ALL SET FOR 27 AUG – Daily Nation |website=Nation.co.ke |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=10 July 2017}} Nevertheless, a cloud of doubt hung over the intent of the tank acquisition. The [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] indicated that an ongoing process of armaments purchases on behalf of the Southern Sudanese government by the Kenyan government was "a badly kept secret."{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201012110008.html|title=Sudan "arm-twisted govt" to get tanks|publisher=All Africa.com|date=10 December 2010|access-date=4 October 2011}} The leaks go on to speculate that these clandestine operations were motivated by the Kenya political leadership's desire to support Southern Sudan, but not in a way that would openly provoke Khartoum or potentially threaten South Sudan's eventual independence.

The [https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2019/09/kenya-interested-in-multiple-integrated-laser-engagement-systems-miles-combat-simulator KDF is interested] in the US Army-approved version of the [[Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System]] (MILES) combat simulation system.

The [https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2019/09/kenya-interested-in-multiple-integrated-laser-engagement-systems-miles-combat-simulator KDF is interested] in the US Army-approved version of the [[Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System]] (MILES) combat simulation system.

[[Category:Military of Kenya| ]]

[[Category:Military of Kenya| ]]

[[Category:Armies by country|Ken]]

[[Category:Armies by country|Ken]]

[[Category:Government agencies of Kenya]]

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