Many Kenyans have seen Kenya Defence Forces pilots showcase their skills during national celebrations, but rarely do they get a glimpse of what it is like from inside the fighter jets.
Kenyans.co.ke obtained rare footage of Kenya’s Northrop F-5 Tiger II Jets flying in a four-finger formation around Laikipia Air Base.
Locals say they have been seeing the jets conducting manoeuvres in the region a number of times in the recent past, leaving them nursing the thunderous sounds.
“Hey President Uhuru Kenyatta, why are military jets flying all over Mt.Kenya region? Breaking sound barriers over our humble villages?” Pius Muriithi questioned.
The footage shows at least 4 fighter jets in formation flying close to the ground, one of them being the historic KAF F5-E tail number 909.
According to a KDF publication, the aircraft became the only fighter jet to be rebuilt outside its factory.
The jet crash-landed one rainy afternoon in 1980, at the Laikipia Airbase, and was supposed to be flown to California, US, for repairs based on the manufacturer's advice.
However, a team of Kenya Airforce soldiers reconstructed the aircraft in one year, with the help of Kenya Airways staff, after being grounded for six years.
The Northrop F-5 Tiger II Jets are advanced avionics fighter aircraft that ranks highly in the defence industry.
According to Strategic Intelligence, an international website dedicated to matters military, the aircraft in Kenya Air Force Inventory is divided into four major categories; combat, reconnaissance, helicopters and trainer aircraft.
Each Kenyan fighter jet is designed with two 20mm single-barrel automatic cannons, the Pontiac M39A2 cannons which have a firing rate of 1500rpm, on both sides of its nose.
Each fighter jet is armed with four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and two AGM-65 Mavericks air-to-surface missiles.
It also has mounted rockets on its hard-points besides being armed with unguided iron bombs.
The manoeuvrability of the aircraft is high since it climbs at a speed of 175 meters per second and has a maximum speed of 1700 kilometres per hour.
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