Strengthening Maritime Surveillance
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)—notably through the Kenya Air Force (KAF)—have significantly expanded their maritime surveillance activities across the Somali Basin and the western Indian Ocean, focusing on piracy, terrorism, and broader coastal threats. This strategic shift involves drones, manned patrol aircraft, radar systems, and enhanced coordination with regional and international security partners.
Drone-Based Intelligence Support
- The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has steadily grown. KDF has procured Boeing ScanEagle drones, supplemented earlier by Aerovironment RQ‑11 systems from the United States . These UAVs play a key reconnaissance role, providing actionable intelligence that supported air and naval strikes.
- A notable example occurred during the Kismayu offensive: drone-collected data on al-Shabaab movements, defensive setups, and logistics enabled KDF jets to precisely target and neutralize the airport used as the militants’ arms depot . This coordination reflects a broader approach combining aerial ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) with targeted operations.
Manned Maritime Patrol Aircraft and EU NAVFOR Engagement
The Kenya Air Force is working directly with EU NAVFOR (Operation Atalanta). In one instance, EU officials installed new camera systems on KAF maritime patrol aircraft at Moi Air Base. Kenyan crews were then trained on maritime mission planning and tactical employment. During sorties, they identified and photographed suspicious vessels at sea, transmitting imagery to both Kenyan command and the EU headquarters . That enhanced capability likely increased the reliability of contact reporting and marine situational awareness.
Radar and High-Tech Surveillance Infrastructure
Kenya’s Air Defense Regiment, encompassing radar squadrons across locations such as Laikipia, Wajir, Mariakani, and Narok, reportedly operates Marcon S‑600 air defense radars in S‑band, L‑band, and C‑band configurations. These installations detect low‑flying aircraft, drones, and other threats, offering anti‑jam capability and height‑finding features . Though primarily air‑domain focused, this infrastructure contributes to coastal and near‑sea domain awareness—especially for detecting aerial threats above marine zones.
Collaboration with Navy and Regional Assets
Although KAF plays a primarily aerial role, its operations are tightly integrated with the Kenya Navy’s maritime assets, including the Special Boat Unit (SBU) and Clearance Diving Unit. The SBU, based at Manda Bay and in Kiunga, patrols the northern coastline using fast Defender-class boats, handling interdictions and transit control between Kenya and Somalia . Joint operations have combined air reconnaissance with naval interdiction to respond rapidly to suspicious sea traffic.
Legal and Regional Frameworks
Kenya also plays a growing role in law enforcement beyond mere surveillance. Since 2024, under agreements with the European Union, Kenya has accepted the prosecution of maritime suspects detained by EU naval forces under Operation Atalanta, becoming the second African country (after Seychelles) to offer such jurisdiction . This move supports effective enforcement and complements aerial surveillance that helps identify and flag suspects for prosecution.
Institutional Strengthening and Strategy
Recognizing the importance of maritime domain oversight, Kenya reinstated its National Maritime Security Committee, chaired by officials from defence, interior, and blue economy sectors. This provides a formal structure to coordinate agencies monitoring Kenya’s exclusive economic zone, supporting timely surveillance and response.
Separately, the EU‑funded GoBlue project delivered five advanced search‑and‑rescue (SAR) vessels to Kenya in late‑2024. While operated by coast guard and rescue agencies, these boats strengthen overall coastal readiness. Air Force and Navy units benefit indirectly, since ISR assets feed into SAR coordination and incident response throughout counties from Kilifi to Lamu .
Regional Exercises and Interoperability
Kenya’s participation in regional naval exercises also boosts the effectiveness of KAF maritime missions. In April 2025, Kenya joined other Indian Ocean nations—including Djibouti, Tanzania, Seychelles, and South Africa—in Africa‑India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME). Intelligence exchange and maritime surveillance interoperability were high priorities in the exercise, supporting Kenya’s aerial operations through shared procedures and common maritime domain awareness frameworks .
Summary: Air Force Contributions
The Kenya Air Force has elevated its maritime surveillance role through four main pillars:
- UAV and manned aircraft ISR: Drones and patrol planes gather imagery and sensor data over the Somali Basin, guiding target selection and intelligence sharing.
- Enhanced sensors: Radar units, air defense systems, and new camera equipment improve detection and tracking of aerial and maritime threats.
- Joint operations: Seamless coordination with naval units for surveillance-to-action integration.
- Legal and institutional frameworks: Broader regional collaboration and prosecutorial capacity extend the impact of surveillance beyond the Kenyan coast.
This multi-layered approach—combining air-based ISR, radar capabilities, naval coordination, regional partnerships, legal structures, and SAR support—underscores Kenya Air Force’s increasingly central role in sustaining maritime security. As piracy resurges and maritime crime evolves, Kenya’s aerial assets and strategic alliances provide a critical layer of deterrence and response across the western Indian Ocean.
