The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Nigeria, estimated at $346 million.
According to the agency, the package includes high-precision guided munitions specifically intended for the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force, supplied by the U.S. in 2021.
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The African country received 12 Embraer EMB-314 (A-29B) turboprop aircraft at the time, which play a central role in counterterrorism and anti-smuggling operations in the Gulf of Guinea.
Main items included in the package
According to the official statement, Nigeria requested:
- 1,002 MK-82 500-pound (227 kg) bombs
- 1,002 MXU-650 stabilization kits (Paveway II GBU-12, 500 lb)
- 515 MXU-1006 kits (Paveway II GBU-58, 250 lb)
- 1,517 computer control groups (MAU-169 or MAU-209)
- 1,002 programmable FMU-152 fuzes
- 5,000 units of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS II), including WGU-59/B guidance section, warhead, and MK66-4 rocket motor
In addition, the package would include complementary equipment such as FMU-139 fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, rockets (live and training), as well as technical, engineering, and logistical support, and integration programs.
The armament aims to significantly enhance the capability of Nigeria’s A-29 Super Tucanos, providing guided airstrike capabilities for operations against terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, and in countering illicit trafficking. According to the State Department, Nigeria will not face difficulties in absorbing the systems into its armed forces, and the delivery will not alter the military balance in the region.
The main contractors are:
- RTX Missiles and Defense (Tucson, AZ)
- Lockheed Martin Corporation (Archibald, PA)
- BAE Systems (Hudson, NH)
The modernization of Nigeria’s airpower, especially with the A-29 Super Tucano, was already underway and will be further enhanced with this new guided weapons package.
Source and images: dsca.mil | Embraer | media.defense.gov. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
