The United States government has approved the sale of high-powered precision bombs, rockets, missiles, and other military ammunition valued at approximately $346 million to Nigeria.
According to the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the sale aims to bolster Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and combat illicit trafficking within the country and the Gulf of Guinea.
The proposed package includes 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500-pound bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups, 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II high-explosive warheads, MK66-4 rocket motors, and additional related equipment. Non-major items cover FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, practice rockets, integration support, as well as US government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics assistance.
The DSCA identified Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems as the primary contractors for the deal.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa,” the agency stated. “It will improve Nigeria’s capability to address current and future threats through operations against terrorist organizations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”
In 2022, the US approved another military package for Nigeria worth $997 million, which included 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 advanced precision kill weapon system guidance sections, and a night vision imaging system.
