Kenya has entered into a Ksh9.87 billion deal with Turkish armoured vehicles manufacturer Katmerciler. This is the single largest border for combat vehicles by Kenya in a long period of time.
The Turkish firm made the revelations on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, after it submitted a regulatory filing to the Turkish stock exchange the Borsa Istanbul.
Kenya will receive 118 armoured vehicles in a move meant to strengthen the defence forces for combat and in the war against terrorism.
The first batch of cars will be expected in the country in 2022 and the order completed by 2023. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) stated that the vehicles will aid in the fight against terrorist group, Al Shabaab.
The cars have a capacity of nine personnel, and are equipped with ballistic shields to protect soldiers from landmines or improvised explosive devices (IED) attacks.
Katmerciler stated that the vehicles can be used for combat, command and control, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence, weapon carrier, ambulance, border security, and reconnaissance.
“The Hizirs will provide the Kenyan troops protective mobility wherever they are deployed,” a official from Katmerciler stated.
The Turkish company fended off competition from South African and South Korean companies for the lucrative deal.
Over the recent years Nairobi and Instanbul have been working to strengthen diplomatic ties and unite in the fight against terrorism.
Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
