The US Department of State has approved a possible $346 million sale of munitions, precision bombs, and rockets to Nigeria, aimed at boosting the country’s ability to combat terrorism and illicit trafficking.
Certified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the deal involves defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defense, and BAE Systems.
The package includes 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups for Paveway II GBU-12, 515 MXU-1006 Air Foil Groups for GBU-58, 1,517 computer control groups for Paveway II bombs, 1,002 joint programmable fuzes, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II all-up rounds with guidance sections, high-explosive warheads, and rocket motors.
Additional non-major defense items in the sale include fuzes, bomb components, practice rockets, integration support, test equipment, and technical services.
The State Department said the proposed sale aligns with US foreign policy and national security goals by enhancing Nigeria’s operational effectiveness against terrorist organizations and curbing illicit activities in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
It noted that Nigeria could easily integrate the weapons into its armed forces without altering the military balance in the region.
