US plans to give Kenya drones in Shabaab war
Serviceman of the Baltic fleet marines' reconnaissance group setting a Grusha unmanned air vehicle in flight at the Khmelevka military range, the testing grounds for air drones in this file photo. The United States plans to provide eight small drones to Kenya as part of a new package to help combat Somalia militia Al-Shabaab July 21, 2012
The United States plans to provide eight small drones to Kenya as part of a new package to help combat Somalia militia Al-Shabaab.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the "eight hand-launched Raven drones" will form part of key military assistance from the Pentagon.
The WSJ said a review of Pentagon documents shows that Kenya will get the Raven drones with sensors used to pinpoint targets.
Ravens are unarmed but can be used to identify targets for strikes using ground forces, the WSJ says.
"This assistance will help build the capacity of Kenyan national military forces to conduct CT (counterterrorism) operations by providing tactical unmanned aircraft systems and training," the WSJ reported quoting a Pentagon document.
"This assistance will improve the tactical effectiveness and operational reach of the Kenyan National Defence Forces engaged in CT operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia."
The Ravens for Kenya are part of an initial $41.4 million package of military aid that also includes trucks, communications gear and rifles for Burundi, Djibouti and Uganda, WSJ said.
