Kenya, Morocco Agree to Expand Air Force Training
KDF Strikes Major Military Deal as Kenya and Morocco Move to Deepen Air Force Partnership
Kenya is set to significantly strengthen its military ties with Morocco after senior defence officials from the two countries agreed to expand cooperation through joint air force training, professional exchanges and capacity-building programmes.
The new partnership was discussed during high-level defence talks held in Nairobi on Monday, June 29, where Kenya Air Force Commander Major General Bernard Waliaula hosted Morocco’s Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché to Kenya, Colonel Said Moustaid, in a meeting aimed at broadening bilateral military relations.
According to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the discussions focused on increasing collaboration between the Kenya Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force through joint training exercises, professional exchange programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives designed to strengthen operational readiness.
The planned cooperation will allow military personnel from both countries to exchange expertise, improve technical skills and enhance interoperability between the two air forces, enabling them to work more effectively together during future regional and international operations.
Speaking after the meeting, Major General Waliaula reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to expanding defence relations with Morocco, describing military partnerships as an important pillar in addressing emerging security threats.
“Kenya highly values its growing defence partnership with Morocco. Increased cooperation through training and professional exchanges will strengthen institutional ties and better prepare our forces to respond to evolving security challenges,” Waliaula said.
Colonel Moustaid echoed the commitment, saying Morocco remained keen on broadening military cooperation with Kenya and expressed optimism that sustained engagement would unlock new opportunities in areas of shared strategic interest.
“Morocco remains committed to expanding defence relations with Kenya, and continued engagement will create more opportunities for cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries,” he said.
Kenya Accelerating Military Modernisation
The latest agreement comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to modernise the Kenya Defence Forces through strategic partnerships with countries possessing advanced military capabilities.
Earlier this month, officials from the National Treasury and the State Department for Defence held separate talks with a delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore collaboration under the Kenya Defence Forces Modernisation Programme.
Those discussions centred on strengthening KDF operational capabilities through advanced defence technologies, institutional reforms and modern military systems following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Kenya and the UAE in 2025.
In recent years, Kenya has steadily expanded its defence diplomacy, forging military cooperation agreements with countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, South Korea, the Czech Republic, India and Turkey. These partnerships cover a wide range of areas, including specialised military training, cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, defence manufacturing, peacekeeping operations and special forces development.
The growing relationship with Morocco now adds another important dimension to Kenya’s expanding international defence network, reflecting Nairobi’s broader strategy of strengthening military preparedness through skills transfer, technology sharing and strategic partnerships.
However, despite the increasing cooperation, Kenya and Morocco have not yet announced a formal Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). For now, defence collaboration continues to be advanced through bilateral engagements and high-level military exchanges, with officials from both countries signalling that closer cooperation is expected to continue.
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