WASHINGTON, July 21 (Reuters) – The Pentagon is seeking to
send hand-launched drones to Kenya as part of a $40 million-plus
military aid package designed to help four African countries
fight al Qaeda and al Shabaab militants, notably in Somalia,
the Wall Street Journal reported.
Kenya would get eight “Raven” unmanned aerial systems – an
unarmed drone that can be use to identify targets for strikes by
ground forces or other aircraft.
“This assistance will improve the tactical effectiveness and
operational reach of the Kenyan National Defense Forces engaged
in CT (counter-terrorism) operations against al Shabaab in
Somalia,” the newspaper quoted a Pentagon document as saying.
The Ravens for Kenya would be part of an initial $41.4
million package that also would include trucks, communications
gear and rifles for Burundi, Djibouti and Uganda, the newspaper
said.
The United States provided Ravens to Uganda last year, it
added, citing officials and documents.
The Defense Department and the State Department had no
immediate comment. U.S. government-to-government arms transfers
are presided over by the State Department, subject to an often-
lengthy congressional review process.
The newspaper cited officials as saying the military aid
package would be meant to help key African allies in the region
go after al Sabaab and other al Qaeda supporters.
The Raven is built by Monrovia, California-headquartered
AeroVironment Inc. Weighing 4.2 pounds (1.9 kilograms)
and with a wingspan of 4.5 feet (1.37 metres), it is described
as capable of sending real-time color or infrared imagery to
ground controllers and to remote viewers day or night.
