The United States State Department has approved a potential $346 million sale of ammunition, precision bombs, and precision rockets to Nigeria to bolster its military capability against terrorism and illicit trafficking.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Nigeria requested to purchase 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs; 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs) for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12; 515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58; 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control groups (CCGs) for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58; 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes; and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up-rounds (AURs) consisting of WGU-59/B guidance sections, high-explosive warheads, and MK66-4 rocket motors.
Non-major defence equipment (non-MDE) in the package includes FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration support and test equipment, as well as technical, engineering, and logistics services from the US government and contractors.
The DSCA named Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems as the sales contractors.
Lockheed Martin is a leading US defence company producing advanced autonomous systems, aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and C-130 Hercules, as well as missile defence technologies like the Patriot system.
RTX, the world’s second-largest military contractor by revenue, manufactures aircraft engines, guided missiles, radars, and cybersecurity solutions, with its missiles and defence unit specialising in precision weapons and command-and-control systems.
BAE Systems plc, based in London, is the largest defence contractor in Europe and among the top globally, producing military aircraft, missiles, naval ships, armoured vehicles, and defence electronics.
According to the DSCA, “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 proposed sale 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 agency stressed that the sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region and that Nigeria would have no difficulty integrating the munitions into its armed forces.
It added that the $346 million figure represents the highest estimated value, with the final cost dependent on requirements, budget authority, and signed agreements.
In 2022, the US approved an estimated $997 million sale of military equipment to Nigeria, which included 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 precision weapon guidance sections, and night vision imaging systems.
Boluwatife Enome
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