ADF STAFF
The Djiboutian Air Force will receive two Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop aircraft for special missions such as border patrols after a contract award to Textron Aviation.
The contract was placed by U.S. Army Contracting Command, U.S.-based Textron Aviation announced. “The two special missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft will be intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) equipped to ensure the border sovereignty of the country of Djibouti,” Textron announced, as reported by defenceWeb.
The United States has supplied Caravan aircraft to a number of African nations for ISR missions. In March 2022, Textron revealed that it was awarded a contract by ATI Engineering Services for four Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft for the Tunisian Air Force. ATI was to modify and equip the aircraft with an electro-optical/infrared sensor, operator console, tactical radio, video data link and night vision compatible lighting.
The Grand Caravan EX aircraft first flew in 1982. It is used by air forces, regional airlines, charter operators and cargo carriers worldwide. It also has been used for flight training and humanitarian missions. The design includes a high wing, an unpressurized cabin, a single turboprop engine and fixed tricycle landing gear. It was designed for high payloads and short, rough runways. In standard commercial trim, it holds nine people but can carry up to 14. More than 3,000 have been built.
The U.S. previously provided grant aid funding for 14 Grand Caravan EX aircraft. ATI Engineering in 2020 was contracted to convert two Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft for the Rwanda Defence Force.
Grand Caravans have been a popular choice of ISR aircraft among African countries, acquired either as donations from the U.S. or purchased outright. African countries that already possess Grand Caravan EX aircraft include Cameroon, Kenya, Mauritania and Uganda.