By Samuel Adeola
The United States has approved a possible $346 million sale of ammunition, precision bombs, and rockets to Nigeria, aimed at boosting the country’s counterterrorism and maritime security efforts.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), confirmed that Nigeria requested 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 air foil groups for Paveway II GBU-12, 515 MXU-1006 air foil groups for GBU-58, 1,517 computer control groups, 1,002 FMU-152 programmable fuzes, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rockets.
The package also includes additional fuzes, bomb components, practice rockets, test equipment, and technical support from US government personnel and contractors.
The approved contractors are Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defense, and BAE Systems, three of the world’s largest defense manufacturers.
According to the DSCA, the sale will strengthen Nigeria’s ability to combat terrorism and illicit trafficking, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, and will not alter the military balance in West Africa.
It added that Nigeria is expected to integrate the new weapons systems without difficulty.
The agency noted that the final cost could be lower, depending on the final configuration and negotiations.
This latest approval follows a 2022 US arms package worth $997 million for Nigeria, which included 12 attack helicopters and night vision systems.
