Trump Administration Approves 12 A-29 Super Tucanos, Weapons Sale To Nigeria For $593M

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Nigeria of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and weapons for $593 million.

The sale also includes all associated training, spare parts, aviation and ground support equipment, and hangar, facilities, and infrastructure required to support the program, DSCA said in a statement Friday. 

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 2, 2017.

These aircraft will support Nigerian military operations against terrorist organizations Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa, and Nigerian efforts to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

The Super Tucano is a sustainable platform for counterterrorism, counter-insurgency, border surveillance, and illicit trade interdiction operations. 

The prime contractor is the Sierra Nevada Corporation. The case will include special training on the law of armed conflict and human rights, and air-to-ground integration to minimize civilian harm in air operations.

Nigeria has been trying to buy the aircraft since 2015. The Nigerian air force has been accused of bombing civilian targets at least three times in recent years.

In the incident, a fighter jet on Jan. 17 repeatedly bombed a camp at Rann, near the border with Cameroon, where civilians had fled from Boko Haram. About 100 to 250 civilians and aid workers were killed, according to official and community leaders' counts.

This bombing occurred on the same day the Obama administration intended to officially notify Congress the sale would go forward. However, it was abruptly put on hold. Days later, Trump was inaugurated.