Nigeria has spent $500 million on six A-29 Super Tucano jets through the foreign military sales (FMS) programme of the United States thereby making it the largest single arms purchase in sub-Saharan Africa.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Leonard, disclosed this in a statement by the United States Africa Command Public Affairs.
She was quoted as making the revelation yesterday at the induction of the jets into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fleet.
The event was hosted by the minister of defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd).
“The total sale is valued at almost $500 million, making it the largest FMS program in sub-Saharan Africa. The A-29 can perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision air-to-ground strikes, strengthening Nigeria’s ability to fight terrorism.
“A total of 64 pilots and maintainers from the Nigerian Air Force were trained to US standards with the US Air Force’s 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Base in Georgia, USA. Training also emphasised the Law of Armed Conflict and civilian casualty mitigation, which are fundamental principles of the Nigerian military’s professional education and training.
“As part of the programme, the US Army Corps of Engineers is providing $36.1m in infrastructure support to the A-29s’ home base, Kainji Air Base, including a covered magazines and aircraft sunshades, a new airfield hot cargo pad, perimeter and security fencing, airfield lights, and various airfield apron, parking, hangar, and entry control point enhancements,” she said.
The US defence leaders also attended the induction, according to a statement by the US Mission in Nigeria entitled, ‘U.S.-made A-29 Super Tucano aircraft officially inducted into Nigerian Air Force.’
The statement quoted the commander, U.S Air Forces Europe-Africa Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian as saying: “Nigeria purchased the A-29s through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, which follows the department of defence’ total package approach model and includes spare parts for several years of operation, contract logistics support, munitions, and a multi-year construction project to improve Kainji Air Base infrastructure.
“The total sale is valued at almost $500 million, making it the largest FMS programme in sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
He stated that the equipment are the impetus for the significant deepening of training and professional relationships.
“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is one of our key partners that play a critical role in furthering regional security and stability.
“This ceremony symbolises the strength of our unique partnership and underscores the value of training and working together.”
He said the precision targeting, air-to-ground integration, and human rights training are all included in the partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria.
Harrigian said the aircraft will assist the NAF in its fight against violent extremist organisations including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
He explained that the joint structure of air-to-ground integration also supports the Nigerian Army and Navy operations.
Harrigian said the A-29 can perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision air-to-ground strikes, strengthening Nigeria’s ability to fight terrorism.
“The A-29 is a prime tool to help Nigeria combat violent extremism and is vital to sustaining deterrence.
“The total package deal — aircrew and maintainer training, precision-guided weapon delivery, and more — highlights our enduring partnership with the NAF and our commitment to enabling their successes where we can,” he said.
He said a total of 64 pilots and maintainers from NAF were trained to U.S. standards with the U.S. Air Force’s 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Base in Georgia, USA.
He further said the training also emphasised the law of armed conflict and civilian casualty mitigation, which are fundamental principles of the Nigerian military’s professional education and training.
He disclosed that as part of the programme, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (UACE) is providing $36.1 million in infrastructure support to the A-29s’ home base, Kainji Air Base, including a covered magazine and aircraft sunshades, a new airfield hot cargo pad, perimeter and security fencing, airfield lights, and various airfield apron, parking, hangar, and entry control point enhancements.
“The infrastructure package also includes a flight annex wing building for simulator training as well as munitions assembly and storage and small arms storage,” he added.
Besides, he said the USACE had stationed a project engineer at Kainji to provide ongoing maintenance and assistance.
