The United States government has
given the green light for the sale of high-powered precision bombs, rockets,
missiles, and other military ammunition worth an estimated $346 million to
Nigeria.
According to the US Defence
Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the deal is designed to boost Nigeria’s
counter-terrorism capabilities and strengthen efforts to combat illicit
trafficking within the country and across the Gulf of Guinea.
The proposed package features:
1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500
lb bombs
1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups
5,000 Advanced Precision Kill
Weapon System II high-explosive warheads
MK66-4 rocket motors
Plus additional gear such as
FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, practice
rockets, integration support, and extensive technical, engineering, and
logistics assistance.
The DSCA listed Lockheed Martin,
RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems as the key contractors for the
package.
“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,” the
agency said. “It will enhance Nigeria’s ability to counter current and future
threats from terrorist organisations and disrupt illicit trafficking in the
region.”
This isn’t the first major arms
deal between the two nations. In 2022, the US approved a $997 million package
for Nigeria, which included 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 precision weapon
guidance systems, and night vision imaging equipment.
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