By Obinna Uballa
The United States government has cleared a possible Foreign Military Sale to Nigeria, involving munition, precision-guided bombs, rockets, and related equipment valued at an estimated $346 million.
According to agency reports, a statement by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) dated August 13, the US State Department has notified Congress of the planned transaction.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Nigeria of munitions, precision bombs, precision rockets, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $346 million,” the DSCA said.
According to reports, the approved sale package which followed a request by Nigeria, includes 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500-pound bombs; 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups for 500-pound Paveway II GBU-12; 515 MXU-1006 Air Foil Groups for 250-pound Paveway II GBU-58; 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control groups for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58; 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes; and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II all-up-rounds.
The report added that there are additional non-major defence items include FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration and test equipment, and logistical and programme support services.
The DSCA said the proposed sale is intended to boost Nigeria’s ability to tackle present and emerging security challenges, including counter-terrorism operations and efforts to combat illicit trafficking within the country and in the Gulf of Guinea. It emphasised that the deal will not alter the regional military balance and will have no negative effect on US defence readiness.
“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 agency noted.
The statement added: “Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing these munitions into its armed forces.”
Principal contractors for the deal are RTX Missiles and Defence, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and BAE Systems. The statement clarified that no offset agreement is currently in place, and any such arrangement would be subject to negotiations between Nigeria and the contractors.
The DSCA added that the final cost could be lower than the $346 million estimate, depending on Nigeria’s final requirements, budget approvals, and the signing of sales agreements.
