Nigeria To Receive $346M U.S. Precision Munitions Package

The United States has approved a potential $346 million sale of ammunition, precision bombs, and precision rockets to Nigeria to boost the country’s military capability against terrorism and illicit trafficking.

The State Department’s decision, announced on August 13, follows a request by Nigeria to acquire an extensive package of munitions and related equipment. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has formally notified Congress of the proposed Foreign Military Sale.

According to the DSCA, Nigeria’s order includes 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs; 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12; 515 MXU-1006 Air Foil Groups for 250 lb 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 with guidance sections, warheads, and rocket motors.

The package also contains non-major defense equipment such as FMU-139 fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, as well as integration support, test equipment, and technical, engineering, and logistics services from U.S. government and contractors.

The principal contractors named for the deal are RTX Missiles and Defense, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and BAE Systems.

In its statement, the DSCA said the sale “will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organizations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”

The United States has previously approved major arms sales to Nigeria, including a $997 million package in 2022 for attack helicopters, precision weapon systems, and night vision imaging technology.