Terrorism and Piracy Fight: US Approves $346m Precision Weapons Sale to Nigeria
Washington, D.C. – The United States government has learnt to have approved a possible $346 million arms deal with Nigeria, covering precision-guided bombs, rockets, and advanced military hardware — a move reported as a strategic boost for the West African nation’s counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations.
The U.S. State Department told PulseNets that the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) had sent the necessary certification to Congress, clearing the path for the U.S.–Nigeria defence partnership to advance.
Package Breakdown:
-
1,002 MK-82 (500 lb) general-purpose bombs
-
1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12
-
515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58
-
1,517 MAU-169/MAU-209 computer control groups for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58
-
1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes
-
5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II all-up-rounds
Non-MDE items include FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration/testing equipment, and U.S. government and contractor technical and logistics support.
The DSCA reported to PulseNets that Nigeria “will have no difficulty absorbing these munitions into its armed forces” and emphasised the sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Washington says the deal will enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), while strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea — a zone widely known for some of the most persistent piracy attacks in the world.
Security analysts spoke to PulseNets, noting that Nigeria’s military has been locked in a brutal counter-terrorism battle for over 15 years, with Boko Haram’s insurgency killing tens of thousands and displacing millions. In addition, armed bandit gangs across the North-West and north-central regions have intensified attacks, kidnapping thousands for ransom.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, already overstretched by multiple internal security crises, have relied heavily on foreign military sales — particularly from the United States — to sustain both aerial bombardments and ground offensives.
Over the last decade, Washington and Abuja have deepened their military cooperation, with landmark transactions such as the 2021 $500 million deal for 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft. U.S. officials maintain that such military sales not only support Nigeria’s stability but also advance U.S. security interests in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Also Read: ICYMI: Crypto Trader, BLord Arrested by Nigeria Police for ‘Fraud, Terrorism’
The DSCA further told PulseNets that no U.S. troops or contractors will be permanently stationed in Nigeria to execute the deal, and the final cost could be lower than the $346 million estimate depending on Abuja’s final order and budget.
“The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded,” the statement read.
If finalised, this would rank among the largest U.S. arms exports to Nigeria in recent years — underscoring both the urgency of Nigeria’s security crisis and Washington’s determination to maintain Abuja as a critical regional defence partner in the fight against terrorism and piracy.
