The United States (US) Department of State has approved the potential sale of ammunition, precision rockets, and bombs to Nigeria at an estimated cost of $346 million. This development was made known in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The statement reads in part, “The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Nigeria of Munitions, Precision Bombs, and Precision Rockets and related equipment for an estimated cost of $346 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
“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 organizations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”
The DSCA stated that Nigeria requested to buy the following items: 1,002 MK-82 general purpose 500 lb bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs), 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II, high-explosive warhead, and MK66-4 rocket motors, among others.
Non-major defense equipment includes FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, integration support and test equipment, and also US government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support.
The DSCA stated that Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems are the sales contractors.