Kenya Requested 14 Air Tractor AT-802 Light Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft

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Air Force News - Kenya
 
 
Kenya Requested 14 Air Tractor AT-802 Light Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft
 
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kenya for Air Tractor aircraft with weapons, and related support. The estimated cost is $418 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 19, 2017.
     
Air tractor AT 802AT-802 light attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Picture: Air Tractor
     
The Government of Kenya has requested a possible sale of up to twelve (12) Air Tractor AT-802L and two (2) AT-504 trainer aircraft, weapons package, technical support and program management. The total estimated program cost is $418 million.

This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader undertaking critical operations against al-Shabaab and troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The proposed sale provides a needed capability in the ongoing efforts to counter al-Shabaab. The platform maximizes the Kenyan Defense Force's Close Air Support (CAS) ability because it is a short-field aircraft capable of using precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance.

The proposed sale supplements Kenya's aging F-5 aircraft as it will be more fiscally efficient and able to be pre-positioned much closer to the conflict area than the F-5 fleet. The Kenyan Defense force is committed to modernizing its air fleet and is capable of absorbing these aircraft. The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be L-3 Communications, Platform Integration Division, Waco, Texas.
     
IOMAX S2R 660 Archangel Dubai Airshow 2015The IOMAX S2R-660 Archangel at Dubai Airshow 2015 is fitted with a Terma decoy pod, Roketsan CIRIT rocket pods, GBU-58 bombes, FLIR pod and Hellfire air to ground missiles.
     

Known as the S2R-660 Archangel Border Patrol Aircraft (BPA) with other air forces, the AT-802 is a light attack and surveillance aircraft designed and produced by the US-based aircraft manufacturer IOMAX based on the Thrush S2R-660.

The Archangel is the latest version of IOMAX's Block 1 and Block 2 AT-802 turboprop that is currently fielded by the UAE and Jordan. In October 2014, the UAE has signed a contract to procure "an enhanced squadron" of IOMAX Archangel Border Patrol Aircraft (BPA). UAE's fleet will now be replaced by 24 Archangel aircraft.

As noted by the DSCA, the prime contractor for this possible sale to Kenya will be L-3 Communications however, not IOMAX.