The US State Department has authorized a possible $346 million sale of ammunition, precision bombs, and precision rockets to Nigeria.
Nigeria has requested to purchase 1,002 MK-82 general purpose 500 lb bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs) 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 (CCGs) for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58, 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up-rounds (AURs) (consisting of one each of WGU-59/B guidance section (GS), high-explosive warhead, and MK66-4 rocket motor), according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration support and test equipment, technical, engineering, and logistics services provided by the US government and contractors, as well as other associated logistical and program support elements, are examples of non-major defense equipment (non-MDE) items in the package.
The sales contractors were identified by the DSCA as BAE Systems (BAES.L), RTX Missiles and Defence (RTX.N), and Lockheed Martin. Advanced autonomous systems, aircraft, missiles, space launchers, and defense systems are among Lockheed’s well-known products.
The F-35 Lightning II fighter, C-130 Hercules transport planes, Patriot missile systems, and other missile defense technologies are some of its most important products.
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational corporation with its headquarters located in London. It is the largest defense contractor in Europe and among the top worldwide, producing military aircraft, missiles, naval ships, armoured vehicles, and defense electronics.
RTX is the second-largest military company in the world by revenue, producing guided missiles, air defense systems, radars, and cybersecurity solutions. Its missile and defense segment specializes in precision weapons, missile defense, radars, and command and control systems.
The DCSA said, “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 proposed sale will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organisations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”
The US authorized the sale of military hardware to Nigeria in 2022 for an estimated $997 million. A night vision imaging system, 2,000 advanced precision kill weapon system guidance sections, and 12 attack helicopters were among the weapons.
