The United States has approved a potential $346 million arms deal with Nigeria, aimed at enhancing the West African nation’s capacity to combat terrorism and tackle illicit maritime activities in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Wednesday that the US State Department had cleared Nigeria’s request to purchase a wide range of advanced munitions, precision bombs, and rockets, alongside associated technical and logistical support.
Under the proposed package, Nigeria would receive 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500-pound bombs; 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups for 500-pound Paveway II GBU-12 bombs; and 515 MXU-1006 Air Foil Groups for 250-pound Paveway II GBU-58 bombs.
Also included are 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control groups for Paveway II bombs, 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up-rounds equipped with high-explosive warheads and MK66-4 rocket motors.
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Non-major defence items in the deal include FMU-139 programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, as well as integration support, test equipment, and US government and contractor-provided technical, engineering, and logistics services.
The DSCA named Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defense, and BAE Systems as the primary contractors.
Lockheed Martin is known for producing the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and advanced missile defence systems.
RTX, the second-largest military contractor in the world by revenue, specialises in missile systems, radars, and command-and-control solutions.
BAE Systems, Europe’s largest defence company, manufactures military aircraft, armoured vehicles, naval ships, and advanced electronics.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“It will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organisations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea”, the DSCA said.
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The agency added that the deal would not alter the regional military balance and that Nigeria would be able to integrate the weapons into its armed forces without difficulty.
It also clarified that the $346 million estimate reflects the highest possible value, with the final figure to depend on Nigeria’s budget, final requirements, and the conclusion of a formal sales agreement.
This development follows a similar approval in 2022, when the US authorised the sale of $997 million worth of military equipment to Nigeria, including 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 precision weapon guidance systems, and a night vision imaging system.
The agency stressed that if finalised, the latest arms package would mark a significant reinforcement of Nigeria’s firepower at a time when it continues to battle insurgent groups and maritime crime in its territorial waters.
