U.S. Approves Possible $346m Arms Sale to Nigeria

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Nigeria valued at up to $346 million, covering precision bombs, guided rockets, fuzes, and associated support.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said it notified Congress on August 13; the package remains a proposal until lawmakers complete their review and a contract is signed.

In its transmittal, DSCA lists Nigeria’s request for 1,002 MK-82 (500-lb) general-purpose bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 air-foil kits for GBU-12 Paveway II, 515 MXU-1006 kits for GBU-58 Paveway II, 1,517 MAU-169/MAU-209 guidance and control groups, 1,002 FMU-152 programmable fuzes, and 5,000 APKWS II all-up-rounds consisting of the WGU-59/B guidance section, high-explosive warhead, and MK66-4 rocket motor. 

Ancillary items include additional fuzes and bomb components, practice and high-explosive rockets, integration and test equipment, training aids, and U.S. government/contractor support. The agency stresses that the $346 million figure is a ceiling and may change during negotiation.

DSCA says the proposed sale would improve Nigeria’s ability to meet current and future threats, including operations against terrorist groups and efforts to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

It adds that the package will not alter the regional military balance and will not affect U.S. defence readiness. Nigeria is expected to have no difficulty absorbing the munitions into its forces.

Prime contractors expected to support elements of the deal include RTX Missiles & Defence, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems, though vendor tasking will be finalised at contract award. The move follows earlier cooperation steps, notably a 2022 approval tied to 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and related equipment, as Abuja pursues a broader modernisation of air power and munitions for internal security missions.