The A-29 Super Tucano deal between the United States of
America and Nigeria is the largest defense sale to an African country.
The American embassy made the confirmation on Thursday in
Lagos at the end of a five-week Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET).
The training involved U.S. Army Special Forces and Nigerian
Navy Special Boat Service (SBS).
The SBS, one of the strongest military units in Africa, is
Nigeria’s naval elite fighting force and often likened to the U.S. Navy SEAL.
The first batch of the Tucanos is due in Nigeria this month
although there are speculations that some have arrived.
In May, the Embraer Defence Security Incorporated (EDSI),
manufacturers of the aircraft, hosted a National Assembly committee led by
Senator Michael Nnachi.
Col. Authur Ford of the U.S. Air Force Fighters and Advance
Aircraft Directorate disclosed that 10 out of the 12 were ready for delivery.
Ford said the remaining two were undergoing modification and
integration to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) specific operational configuration.
The officers said six Tucanos will be delivered in July and
the remaining six in October. Fourteen NAF pilots have been trained at the
Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
The armed turboprops will be deployed against Boko Haram and
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements.
In 2018, Nigeria paid $462million for twelve Tucanos and
other weapons. The payment covers Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems for
six of the aircraft.
The fighter jets will have Paveway II guided bombs,
laser-guided rockets, 12.7 mm ammunition, unguided bombs and infrared sensors.
The contract also provides for ground training equipment,
mission planning systems, mission debrief systems, spares, ground support
equipment and support services.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps are
scheduled for extensive programs in Nigeria beyond pre-COVID levels.
The engagements build on a longstanding security
partnership, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, the embassy said.
Nigeria participates in multiple bilateral and multilateral
military exercises with the United States, including African Lion, Flintlock, and
Obangame Express.
The U.S. and Nigeria cooperate on maritime security,
military professionalization including human rights, counterterrorism efforts
against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, defense trade, and strengthening
governance.
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