By Atoyebi Nike
The United States has given the green light for a possible $346 million Foreign Military Sale to Nigeria, covering an extensive package of munitions, precision bombs, precision rockets, and associated support equipment.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed the approval in a statement dated August 13 and has formally notified the US Congress. The proposed package is designed to enhance Nigeria’s ability to counter terrorism, combat illicit trafficking, and strengthen security in the Gulf of Guinea, without altering the military balance in the region.
Nigeria’s request includes 1,002 MK-82 500-pound general-purpose bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 air foil groups for Paveway II GBU-12, 515 MXU-1006 air foil groups for Paveway II GBU-58, 1,517 computer control groups for both bomb types, 1,002 FMU-152 programmable fuzes, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rockets.
Non-major defense items in the deal cover additional fuzes, bomb components, high-explosive and practice rockets, test equipment, integration support, and logistical services. The main contractors are RTX Missiles and Defence, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and BAE Systems.
The DSCA stressed that the deal supports US foreign policy goals by strengthening a key security partner in sub-Saharan Africa. It also noted that Nigeria can readily integrate the new munitions into its armed forces and that the agreement would not affect US defense readiness.
