Representatives from 15 member countries of the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF), together with the United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, convened in Nairobi to advance preparations for a multinational air forces exercise scheduled to take place in Kenya in 2027.
In a statement on Monday, August 10, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said the representatives met for the Mid Planning Conference at a Nairobi hotel from August 3 to 7 as part of preparations for the inaugural Association of African Air Forces Command Post and Field Training Exercise (AAAFEX CPX/FTX).
KDF said collaboration among African Air Forces remains essential to improving collective capabilities and developing a shared capacity to respond to emergencies.
"Collaboration among African Air Forces is critical to strengthening collective air power, enhancing interoperability and building a shared capacity to respond effectively to humanitarian emergencies and disasters," the statement read.
KDF said the planned exercise is being developed against the backdrop of growing efforts by African air forces to enhance their ability to work together during emergencies and disasters.
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"It is against this backdrop that the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF) is preparing to conduct its inaugural Command Post and Field Training Exercise (AAAFEX CPX/FTX), scheduled for 2027 in Kenya," the statement added.
The Mid Planning Conference brought together representatives of the 15 AAAF member countries as well as the United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.
The meeting was aimed at refining the plans and operational procedures that will guide the exercise when it is conducted next year.
"The conference provided a platform to refine the exercise plan, validate the draft AAAFEX Standard Operating Procedures and Concept of Air Operations and Movement and strengthen interoperability among participating forces," the statement explained.
The exercise will also assess how quickly participating forces can mobilise and coordinate air assets during an emergency.
KDF said the drill will include the establishment of command and air tasking systems as well as coordinated humanitarian assistance under a Kenya-led response.
"The exercise will test the ability to mobilise and integrate multinational air resources within hours of activation, establish safe and effective command and air tasking procedures, and deliver coordinated humanitarian assistance to affected communities under a Kenya led response," the statement noted.
Presiding over the five-day conference, Exercise Director and Base Commander Laikipia Air Base Brigadier Hillary Kipkurui commended the participating countries for their contributions to the planning process, describing the conference as a success.
He urged participants to continue reviewing the exercise plan, identifying gaps and challenging existing assumptions to ensure the final framework is practical and capable of achieving the intended humanitarian objectives.
"The success of AAAFEX will depend on our ability to plan together, challenge our assumptions and refine our procedures. I urge all participating members to continue critiquing the plan and identifying gaps so that, by the time we execute the exercise, we have a robust, practical and interoperable framework capable of delivering the desired humanitarian effects," he said.
This comes days after KDF launched the construction of a new ammunition production line at the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation (KOFC) in Eldoret.
In a statement on Thursday, August 6, KDF said the initiative forms part of a broader modernisation strategy aimed at expanding domestic production capacity, improving operational readiness and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.
"By expanding domestic production capacity and investing in modern defence technologies, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), through the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation (KOFC), is enhancing strategic self-reliance, reducing dependence on external supply chains and ensuring a reliable flow of critical defence equipment to sustain operational readiness," the statement read.
According to KDF, the latest milestone was marked by the 73rd Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation Board of Directors Meeting, which was chaired by Chief of the Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri before he officially broke ground for the new ammunition production line.
"The Kenya Defence Forces took another significant step toward this goal when the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, presided over the 73rd Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation Board of Directors Meeting before officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for a new ammunition production line at KOFC in Eldoret.
"Upon arrival, the CDF was received by the Managing Director of KOFC, Major General George Okumu," the statement added.
KDF noted that during the board meeting, directors evaluated the corporation's progress in implementing its strategic objectives and reviewed projects designed to modernise its manufacturing systems.
"During the Board meeting, members reviewed the Corporation’s strategic progress and assessed ongoing initiatives aimed at modernising production capabilities to meet emerging operational requirements," the statement further read.
According to KDF, the board also highlighted the launch of the new production line as a major development that will work alongside the ongoing refurbishment of the existing facility to expand KOFC's manufacturing capacity.
"A key milestone was the launch of the new ammunition production line, which will complement the refurbishment of the existing production facility and significantly strengthen the Corporation’s manufacturing capability," the statement noted.
KDF said the modernisation programme is being rolled out in three phases, with the first phase already in progress and the entire project expected to be completed during the 2027/2028 Financial Year.
