The United States Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Nigeria, a package of munitions, precision bombs, and precision rockets with an estimated value of $346 million.
This approval marks a significant development, following a period where U.S. lawmakers had placed a hold on weapon sales to Nigeria due to concerns over potential human rights abuses by the Nigerian government.
This recent approval comes after a previous weapons sale to Nigeria, valued at nearly $1 billion, was greenlit by the Joe Biden administration in 2022. That sale itself had been initially paused by President Donald Trump's administration during his first term. The holds on these sales were largely prompted by a series of accidental bombings by the Nigerian military, which, while targeting terrorist enclaves, also resulted in civilian casualties.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) officially confirmed the planned sale by delivering the required certification to Congress. The detailed request from the Government of Nigeria includes a comprehensive list of equipment:
1. Bombs and Related Components:
2. 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs.
3. 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs) for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12 bombs.
4. 515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58 bombs.
5. 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control groups for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58 bombs.
6. 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes.
7.Rockets:
8.5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up-rounds, each consisting of a WGU-59/B guidance section, a high-explosive warhead, and a MK66-4 rocket motor.
The package also includes a variety of non-major defense equipment (non-MDE) such as FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, various bomb components, impulse cartridges, and both high-explosive and practice rockets. Additionally, the sale provides for U.S. Government and contractor support, including technical and logistics services, integration support, and test equipment.
According to the State Department, the sale is intended to support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a key strategic partner in Africa.
The deal is expected to bolster Nigeria's capacity to counter current and future threats, particularly in its operations against terrorists and in combating illicit trafficking within Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
The DSCA has assessed that this sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The agency also noted that Nigeria is expected to have no difficulty integrating these new munitions into its armed forces. The principal contractors involved in this potential sale are RTX Missiles and Defense, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and BAE Systems. While the U.S. government is not aware of any offset agreements, any such arrangements would be a matter for negotiation between Nigeria and the contractors.
The DSCA also confirmed that no additional U.S. government or contractor personnel will be deployed to Nigeria to implement the sale, and there will be no negative impact on U.S. defense readiness. The final cost to Nigeria is expected to be lower than the initial $346 million estimate, as the final price will be determined by Nigeria's specific requirements, budget, and the terms of the final signed agreements.