Africa-Press – Kenya. The Kenya Navy has received two Zodiac Pro 850 boats from the United Kingdom as part of ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries.
The collaboration is aimed at boosting maritime domain awareness and security operations in the Western Indian Ocean.
The new vessels were handed over at the Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa during a ceremony attended by representatives of the British High Commission and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The handover forms part of the UK–Kenya defence partnership which includes maritime training, joint exercises, equipment support and capacity building for Kenya’s maritime forces.
In a public statement posted through official UK diplomatic channels in Nairobi, the UK mission said the equipment would strengthen Kenya’s maritime capabilities.
The statement read: “Two new Zodiac Pro 850 boats [were] handed over to the Kenya Navy & Marines at Mtongwe Naval Base, boosting regional and maritime security.”
The transfer comes at a time when coastal security agencies in East Africa are enhancing surveillance, patrol and interdiction capacity to counter maritime threats.
These include smuggling, piracy, illegal fishing, terrorism, marine pollution and trafficking along the busy Western Indian Ocean maritime corridor.
Security cooperation between Nairobi and London has expanded in recent years through joint maritime training, counter-terrorism programmes, anti-trafficking initiatives, and naval exercises along Kenya’s coastline.
The Kenya Navy, which forms the maritime branch of the Kenya Defence Forces, is responsible for protecting Kenya’s territorial waters, securing maritime infrastructure, and supporting regional peace and security operations.
The service operates from several stations including Mtongwe Naval Base, which houses the Marine Commando Unit and serves as a training centre for coastal interdiction and special operations.
The handover of the Zodiac Pro 850 boats adds to efforts to modernize assets used by the Navy for near-shore patrols, boarding operations, insertion of marine units and surveillance missions.
The boats will support routine patrols and rapid-response operations in shallow waters, coastal zones and key maritime installations such as ports, anchorage points and maritime approaches around the Port of Mombasa.
Kenya’s coastline stretches over 600 kilometres along the Western Indian Ocean and hosts critical maritime infrastructure including the Port of Mombasa, oil terminals, fisheries zones and shipping lanes.
The region has increasingly become a focal point for international security cooperation due to expanding trade volumes, offshore resource exploration and persistent cross-border maritime crime networks.
The UK and Kenya have been partners in maritime training and joint exercises for decades.
The Royal Navy periodically conducts joint drills with Kenyan naval personnel in the Indian Ocean to strengthen interoperability for search and rescue, counter-piracy and boarding operations.
The UK also supports regional maritime awareness initiatives through training, equipment donations and capacity-building programmes.
The Zodiac Pro 850 boats are part of the Zodiac Milpro professional line commonly used by military, coast guard and rescue agencies globally for fast-response missions.
The boats are valued in military service for their agility, speed and manoeuvrability, particularly during interdiction or approach operations in rough coastal conditions.
What are Zodiac Pro 850 boats?
The Zodiac Pro 850 is a military-grade rigid inflatable boat (RIB) designed for maritime patrol, boarding and rescue operations.
RIBs combine a rigid deep-V hull with inflatable collar tubes, giving them buoyancy, stability and shock absorption.
The Zodiac Pro 850 is widely used by naval and special forces units for coastal security missions.
Key factual features generally associated with the Pro 850 class include: Approximately 8.5 metres, designed for marine patrol operations and deep-V rigid hull improving seaworthiness during high-speed maneuvers.
They also have a hypalon or neoprene-coated fabric tubes that resist abrasions, UV and saltwater, and a configurable seating for crew and boarding teams depending on mission layout.
The boats are typically fitted with twin high-output outboard engines for rapid acceleration, built for high-speed approach, interception and pursuit in near-shore waters, and suited for surveillance patrols, insertion of marine units, boarding operations, search-and-rescue and port security.
RIBs are used by naval and marine forces worldwide because they can operate close to shore, navigate shallow waters, and be launched quickly for interdiction missions.
Their shock-absorbing collars provide buoyancy, reduce hull stress and minimize capsizing risk even in rough sea conditions.
The design allows rapid maneuvering during boarding operations and safe approach alongside larger vessels.
For marine commando units, RIBs serve as insertion platforms during counter-trafficking and port-security operations.
They are also used to secure maritime infrastructure and escort high-value vessels in sensitive zones.
Why maritime capability matters for Kenya
Kenya is a key maritime hub in East Africa, with the Port of Mombasa serving as the region’s main gateway for international cargo linking East, Central and Northern Africa to global trade routes.
The shipping corridor along Kenya’s coast connects trade from the Gulf, Asia and Europe, making maritime safety and surveillance essential for national and regional economic security.
Kenya has strengthened its maritime security posture in response to persistent risks including smuggling of contraband and narcotics, illegal fishing, terrorism financing networks, potential piracy spillover into deep seas, and human trafficking routes operating along the East African coastline.
Enhanced patrol capacity and inter-agency cooperation with regional partners are central pillars of Kenya’s maritime security strategy.
The two new Zodiac Pro 850 boats are expected to enhance the Navy’s presence in territorial waters and improve the speed and efficiency of patrols and maritime interdiction missions carried out by Kenya’s Marines and special operations units.
The UK–Kenya defence partnership continues to focus on strengthening maritime capacity, protecting sea lanes and supporting regional stability initiatives in the Western Indian Ocean through training, equipment support and joint operations.
