TSAMTO, August 18. The US State Department has approved the potential supply of ammunition, precision-guided bombs and missiles, as well as related equipment to Nigeria as part of the Foreign Military Sales program.
The total cost of the order may amount to $346 million. The DOD's Agency for Security Cooperation (DSCA) notified Congress of the sale on August 13.
The Nigerian government has asked the United States about the possibility of selling 1,002 MK-82 500-pound free-fall bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 sets of aerodynamic surfaces for 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II, 515 sets of aerodynamic surfaces for 250-pound GBU-58 Paveway II, 1,517 MAU-169 computer control groups. or MAU-209 for GBU-12/GBU-58 Paveway II, 1002 programmable FMU-152 fuzes, 5000 sets of 70 mm APKWS II guided missiles (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II), including WGU-59/B guidance sections, high-explosive fragmentation warheads and MK66 rocket engines-4.
The request also includes the supply of FMU-139 programmable fuzes, bomb components, pulse cartridges, high-explosive fragmentation and practical unguided missiles; integration and testing equipment; engineering, technical and logistical support from contractors and the US government, as well as other related logistics and program support elements.
As stated, the implementation of this program is in line with the interests of US foreign policy and national security, and will strengthen the defense capability of a strategic partner in Africa.
The notification notes that the sale of the requested ammunition will enhance the capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces to counter existing and future threats, primarily by enhancing the effectiveness of operations against terrorist organizations and operations to counter illegal smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea. At the same time, the Nigerian Armed Forces will have no difficulty adopting the requested equipment.
The main contractors will be RTX Missiles and Defense, Lockheed Martin Corporation and BAE Systems. If compensation agreements are implemented, their terms will be determined during negotiations between the buyer and the contractor.
The description and value of the sale reflect the highest estimates based on initial requirements. The actual purchase price may be lower, depending on the final requirements, financial capabilities, and signed purchase and sale agreements, if any.
CAMTO's Comment
The requested weapons are likely to be used by the A-29 Super Tucano light combat aircraft purchased in 2017. All of them (12 units) were delivered to the Nigerian Air Force in 2021. Some of the aircraft are part of the 407th Aviation Training Group at Kainji Air Base, while the rest are used from Maiduguri Air Base to support counterinsurgency operations in northeastern Nigeria.
Having initially selected a large number of unguided ammunition for the A-29, the Nigerian Air Force probably decided to purchase high-precision systems to increase the effectiveness of attacks.
