The United States Department of State has approved a potential sale of munitions, precision bombs, and precision rockets to Nigeria worth an estimated $346 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale, which aims to improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organizations and counter illicit trafficking.
According to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, Nigeria requested to buy 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II all-up-rounds, among other equipment.
The proposed sale will support US foreign policy goals and national security objectives by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The contractors for the sales are Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defense, and BAE Systems. The US government believes Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing these munitions into its armed forces, and the sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
