The United States Government has approved a possible sale of ammunition, precision bombs and rockets to Nigeria, estimated at 346 million dollars.
The approval, announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), followed a request by Nigeria for the supply of advanced military hardware.
According to the DSCA, the package includes 1,002 MK-82 general purpose 500 lb bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II high-explosive warheads with MK66-4 rocket motors.
Other non-major defence equipment in the deal are FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration support and test equipment, as well as U.S. government and contractor technical, engineering and logistics services.
The agency listed Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems as the main contractors for the sale.
Lockheed Martin is renowned for advanced fighter jets like the F-35 Lightning II, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, Patriot missile systems and missile defence technologies.
RTX, the world’s second-largest military firm by revenue, produces guided missiles, radars, air defence systems and cybersecurity solutions, while BAE Systems, based in London, is Europe’s largest defence contractor, specialising in military aircraft, naval ships, armoured vehicles and defence 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,” the DSCA said.
It added that the arms would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to address current and future threats, particularly in counter-terrorism operations and in tackling illicit trafficking within the country and across the Gulf of Guinea.
The agency stressed that the sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region, noting that Nigeria would be able to integrate the equipment into its armed forces without difficulty.
It explained that the stated cost represented the highest estimated value, and that the final amount would be lower depending on Nigeria’s budget, final requirements and signed agreements.
In 2022, the U.S. approved a separate 997 million dollar arms deal with Nigeria, which included 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 precision weapon guidance sections and night vision imaging systems.