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Kenya Army - Order of Battle - Mechanized Forces

76 Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (16 ARB) origins can be traced back to 1968 when a reconnaissance troop was formed at the Kenya Army Headquarters. The troops comprised Ferret Scout Cars.

In 1969, the troop was developed into a Light Armored Squadron (LAS). The LAS comprised two Ferret Scout cars and one troop of Saladin cars. They were then moved to Gilgil in the same year to form part of the Support Battalion, under the command Major J. Munyao.

The Government later saw the need to procure new armored fighting vehicles. In 1972 the Government contracted Panhard Company of France to equip the squadron with AML 245 Panhard cars. The AML 245 model was procured and formed the first squadron of the present structure of 76 ARE

The battalion has participated in some major historic events such:

1.The Shifta campaign

2.In 1976 the unit was mobilized to counter the threat of then President of Uganda Idi Amin who had threatened to annex parts of Kenya’s territory.

3.In 1999 the unit was mobilized to move within short notice to Amuma in North Eastern Province to counter Somali militias who had infiltrated the country.

4.The unit has also been actively involved in curbing cattle rustling activities in the North Rift and Northern Kenya.

78 Tank Battalion origins can be traced back to independence in 1963, when the Kenya Armed Forces inherited a small Light Armored sub–unit consisting of four Ferret scout cars. The four Ferret Scout cars were in use until 1967 when Kenya Army Recce troops were formed with three newly acquired Saladin cars. In 1976, the Saladin Squadron was developed into Armored Recce Battalion with acquisition of AML 245 Panhards.

Due to the prevailing threats of the 1970s there was need for the formation of a main tank battalion, hence the formation of 78 Tank Battalion in 1978 and its sister unit 81 Tank Battalion in 1981. 78 Tank Battalion was formed by a squadron carved from 76 ARB and was initially based in Gilgil and named Light Armored Squadron In 1979, it moved to Lanet Airfield (behind the current 81 Tank Battalion). In the same year, a complete regiment was formed named 78 Tank Battalion.

81 Tank Battalion is the youngest unit of the Armored Corps having been formed in 1981 at its current location, Lanet under the command of Major J. J. Wang’ombe (now Rtd Lt Col). The unit was formed by a Squadron carved from 78 Tank Battalion and a few elements from 76 Armored Recce Battalion under the then Capt Mwangangi as the Officer Commanding. The unit got its first batch of soldiers from AF TC in August 1981. The following month, the unit got its first three tanks. By the end of 1983 the unit was fully established with all the three fighting Squadrons and equipment.

The primary mission of 81 Tank Battalion is to conduct operations against enemy armour and the provision of close support to infantry while the secondary role is to conduct internal security operations in aid to civil authorities in maintenance to law and order.

Amoured Brigade

The expansion of armored units necessitated the formation of Brigade Headquarters in order to decentralize command and control from the HQ Kenya Army and to improve efficiency. Armored Brigade HQ Was established in 1979 and consisted of one main tank battalion and one armored reconnaissance battalion. The Brigade HQ was located at Isiolo Barracks in 1990. The Headquarters Was formed mainly to coordinate and harmonise all activities of the Brigade units/ school as follows:

1. Command and control of all armored units and schools.
2. Standardize all matters pertaining to operations and training with the armored units in line with Army training directive.
3. Administration of all Armored Units.
4. Ease command responsibilities from the services HQs down to the units.
5. Act as link between the Service HQs on all correspondences flowing either Way.

The mission of Armoured Brigade is to conduct operations against enemy amor threat, provide close support infantry, and conduct internal security operations in support of civil authority in maintenance of law and order when called upon and peace support operation in pursuance of Kenya’s foreign policy.