The United States government has approved the sale of precision bombs, rockets, missiles, and other ammunition worth an estimated $346 million to Nigeria.

According to the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the deal is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations and strengthening efforts to combat illicit trafficking in the country and the Gulf of Guinea.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the DSCA confirmed that Nigeria had requested to purchase 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs), 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II high-explosive warheads, MK66-4 rocket motors, and other military hardware.

This comes after the US approved in 2022 the sale of military equipment to Nigeria, including 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance sections, and a night vision imaging system, valued at $997 million.

The current package also includes non-major defence items such as FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration support and test equipment, along with technical, engineering, and logistics assistance from the US government and contractors.

The DSCA listed Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence (RTX.N), and BAE Systems (BAES.L) as the contractors for the deal.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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