By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards fighting terrorists, banditry and kidnappers in Nigeria, the United States is making moves to sell $997 million AH-1Z Attack Helicopters and other equipment to the Nigerian Government.
Security Watch Africa (SWA) gathered that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale of the weapons to the Government of Nigeria.
“The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.”
The Nigeria government had earlier requested to buy twelve (12) AH-1Z Attack Helicopters; twenty-eight (28) T-700 GE 401C engines (24 installed, 4 spares); and two thousand (2,000) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance sections.
Also requested is Night Vision Cueing Display (NVCD); Commercial Variant GPS with Standard Positioning Service (SPS); Communication Equipments; Electronic Warfare Systems; AN/AVS-9 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System; M197 20mm Machine Gun; Target Sight System (TSS); Support Equipments; Spare Engine Containers; Spare and Repair parts; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; Personnel Training and Training Equipments.
Included also are the Mission Planning System; U.S. Government and contractor engineering; technical, and logistics support services; U.S. Government and contractor assistance and oversight of facilities construction to include the provisioning of plans, drawings and specifications
Also $25million of case funds will be allocated for institutional and technical assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to continue Air Ground Integration (AGI) program, which includes developing targeting processes that are legally compliant with International Humanitarian Law and the Laws of Armed Conflict; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
“The total estimated program cost is $997million. 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 better equip Nigeria to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability and build interoperability with the U.S. and other Western partners.
“This sale will be a major contribution to U.S. and Nigerian security goals. Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing the equipment and services into its Armed Forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
It was also gathered that the principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, Fort Worth, TX; and General Electric Company, Lynn, MA.
While there are no known offset agreements in connection with the potential sale, implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Nigeria for mobile training teams and contract logistics support.
“The case will include special training on the law of armed conflict and human rights, and air-to-ground integration to minimize civilian harm in air operations.
“This proposed sale will also require multiple trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in program and technical reviews plus training and maintenance support in country, on a temporary basis, for a period of five (5) years.
“It will also require approximately three (3) contractor support representatives to reside in country for a period of two (2) years to support this program.”
It was also gathered by Security Watch Africa that the proposed sale will not have adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness.