U.S. Approves Sales of $346m Weapons to Nigeria

The U.S. State Department has authorised a potential arms sale to Nigeria worth an estimated $346 million, including munitions, precision bombs, and rockets, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Wednesday.

According to the DSCA statement, the approved sale involves Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems as the contracted suppliers.

“Nigeria has requested 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups 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 for Paveway II bombs, 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II all-up-rounds,” the DSCA said.

The package also includes non-major defence equipment such as bomb components, rockets for training and practice, integration and test support, and services from U.S. government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics personnel.

DSCA emphasised that the 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 further noted that no offset agreements are associated with the proposed sale, and its implementation will not require additional U.S. personnel in Nigeria. 

“There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale,” the statement added.