US Approves $346 Million Sale of Precision Weapons to Nigeria

The United States has approved a potential $346 million sale of ammunition, precision bombs, and rockets to Nigeria, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Wednesday. 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 with MK66-4 rocket motors, as well as other munitions and support equipment.

Additional items in the package cover FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration support, test equipment, and US government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support. Contractors named in the sale include Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems.

Lockheed Martin is known for products such as the F-35 Lightning II fighter, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and Patriot missile systems. RTX produces aircraft engines, guided missiles, air defence systems, radars, and cybersecurity solutions, while BAE Systems builds military aircraft, missiles, naval ships, armoured vehicles, and defence electronics.

According to the DSCA, the sale aims to strengthen the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa and enhance Nigeria’s ability to address current and future threats, including operations against terrorist organisations and efforts to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. The agency noted that the sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region and that Nigeria could integrate the munitions into its armed forces without difficulty.

The DSCA added that the announced value reflects the highest estimated quantity, and the final amount could be lower depending on Nigeria’s final requirements, budget approval, and signed agreements. In 2022, the United States approved a separate $997 million sale of military equipment to Nigeria, which included 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance sections, and a night vision imaging system.