The United States government has approved a potential $346m arms sale to Nigeria.
The arms deal was announced by the Pentagon, the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
With the deal, the U.S. has authorized the sale of munitions, precision-guided bombs, and rockets to bolster Nigeria’s military capabilities.
It was gathered that the $346m arms sale is aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and illicit trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea, supporting a key strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The US-Nigeria arms deal also comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, including Boko Haram insurgencies, banditry, and maritime threats.
According to the Pentagon, below is the ammunition Nigeria has requested to purchase in the deal;
• 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs
• 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs) for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12
• 515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58
• 1,517 MAU-169 or 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 (APKWS II) all-up rounds, each consisting of a WGU-59/B guidance section, high-explosive warhead, and MK66-4 rocket motor.
The package also includes non-major defence equipment (non-MDE) such as FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration support, and test equipment, along with U.S. government and contractor-provided technical, engineering, and logistics services.
It was also gathered that the contracts will be executed by Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems.
Lockheed Martin is renowned for its advanced autonomous systems, aircraft, missiles, space launchers, and integrated defence solutions. RTX, the world’s second-largest military company by revenue, produces aircraft engines, guided missiles, air defence systems, radars, and cybersecurity technologies. BAE Systems plc, headquartered in London, is the largest defence contractor in Europe and ranks among the leading global defence companies.
