Kenya has begun discussions with the United Arab Emirates on ways to modernise the Kenya Defence Forces, with particular focus on defence technology used by the country.
Senior officials from the National Treasury, led by Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, and the State Department for Defence, Patrick Mariru, met a delegation from Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, on June 17 to outline cooperation under the KDF Modernisation Programme.
Treasury said Chris Kiptoo and Patrick Mariru discussed areas of collaboration with the Abu Dhabi delegation under the Kenya Defence Forces Modernisation Programme.
The talks focused on improving the KDF’s operational readiness, introducing advanced technology and advancing institutional reforms that support Kenya’s long-term national security objectives.
The engagement builds on the Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in January last year, which expanded bilateral cooperation across several sectors.
That pact created a strategic framework for investment, knowledge exchange and technology transfer between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi, enabling this form of defence collaboration.
Treasury said the discussions centred on strengthening strategic partnerships to enhance the KDF’s operational capabilities, technological advancement and institutional transformation in line with Kenya’s national security priorities and modernisation goals.
Globally, the UAE ranks 25th on the overall Global Military Index and about 50th in wider strategic Military Power Rankings. Despite being smaller than some regional peers, it is regarded as one of the Middle East’s most technologically advanced and highly mobile militaries.
Kenya is ranked 12th in Africa and 84th globally among more than 140 countries assessed in the 2026 Global Firepower Index, underscoring the need for military cooperation with a country that has broader experience.
Beyond the UAE, Kenya has developed an extensive defence partnership network across several continents, with the U.S. leading cooperation in equipment procurement, infrastructure development and joint special operations training with the KDF.
The United Kingdom and Egypt also play prominent roles, with Britain focusing on joint training, special forces development, production and military medical services.
Together, these partnerships support KDF modernisation, cybersecurity, military education, defence industrial technologies and strategic national security industries.