The United States has authorized the sale of precision-guided munitions and rockets worth $346 million to the Nigerian Air Force, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced.
The package includes 1,002 Mk-82 (227kg) bombs, fuzes, airfoil kits for 113kg and 227kg bombs, and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rounds, alongside associated equipment and support. Contractors involved will include RTX Missiles and Defense, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems.
According to the DSCA, the deal aims to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to counter terrorist organizations and combat illicit trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigerian Air Force, which already operates 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, is expected to integrate the new weapons without difficulty.
Nigeria’s strike capability also includes three JF-17 fighter jets, 11 F-7 aircraft, and 12 Alpha Jets, all deployed in ground-attack roles.