Kenya Could Acquire Saudi Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Fighters
December 30 | Posted by David Goldman | Intelligence NewsKenya could acquire Royal Saudi Airforce Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle jet fighters according to SIN intelligence sources.
According to Janes Intelligence, Kenya eyes Saudi Air Force as a source of its air force capability. Kenya air force personnel inspected RSAF F-5s in April 2005, with a view to purchasing 10 F-5Es and four two-seat F-5F trainers to return the Laikipia-based fighter unit to full strength.
Recent acquisition of F-15 fighter jets worth $29 billion by Royal Saudi Air Force from the US means that part of the 72 RSAF un-upgraded Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Fighters could be up for sale to Kenya.
Kenya hopes to acquire at least 20 -35 F-15 and Saudi Arabia has 72 of them which are to be upgraded to SA standard.
A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 1700th Air Refueling Squadron Provisional for refueling during Operation Desert Shield in 1992
Kenya and Saudi share close bilateral ties while the 2005 agreement shows more closer military ties that could consummate such a deal.
However, Kenya has even more backing to secure the deal through a proxy such as Prince Al-Walid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud the 5th richest man in the world.
Prince Al-Walid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud bought five hotels – the Norfolk, Mount Kenya Safari Club, Mara Safari Club, The Ark and Aberdare Country Club for a whooping 17 million pounds.
Kenya is currently shopping for better fighter aircraft with US, Israel and Saudi being very good options.
