Kenya has improved its capacity to fight terrorism after reportedly being the second African country after Cameroon to purchase a powerful military drone.
According to a report released on Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Kenyan government ordered a $9.86 Million (Sh1 Billion) ScanEagle, to be used by the defence forces for surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which was first used by US States Navy, can effectively be deployed in Somalia to aid in the battle against al shabaab millitants .
The pilotless aircraft is manufactured by the Boeing company with a flight endurance of over 20 hours and is fitted with cameras that can track both stationary and moving targets.
According to the manufacturer, ScanEagle vehicles can operate above 15,000 feet (4572 meters) and wander over a battlefield.
The Kenya Defence Forces can use the drone to track militants' movements and communications, hence providing support in foiling impending attacks.
Reports indicate the unmanned vehicle, which does not need a runway to take off but uses a catapult launcher, is set to arrive into the country in September this year.
Military forces using the ScanEagle include: USA, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom.
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