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Following the approval of a possible sale to Nigeria of 12 high-tech attack planes and related equipment worth nearly $600 million, the Pentagon has notified the U.S. Congress of the Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons needed to execute the fight against terrorist Boko Haram. The Trump administration’s approval of the sale, which was rumored months ago, comes after the Obama administration put a hold on it amid accusations that Nigeria’s air force was bombing civilians, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced recently.

The sale entails a dozen A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, according to the notice. The Super Tucano, made by contractor Sierra Nevada Corp., is a light attack plane designed for counter-insurgency, close air support and aerial reconnaissance missions. The Super Tucano costs more than $10 million each and the price can go much higher depending on the configuration.

 

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered their certification of the foreign military sale to Congress, as required by law, on August 2, according to United Press International.

 

The twelve A-29s, equipped with wing-mounted machine guns, weapons integration with advanced surveillance, precision-guided bombs, and even air-to-air missiles” are expected to be used by Nigeria to combat the Boko Haram insurgents and other extremist groups, such as the Islamic State West Africa splinter group. They will also serve to counter smuggling and other trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

 

The DSCA has determined that U.S. security interests are served by assisting Nigeria in its counter-insurgency operations and that the A-29 sale will not significantly alter the military balance of power in the region.

 

The contract will require U.S. Government or private contractors to provide training and support, and will include instruction on rules of engagement and human rights to help prevent civilian casualties.

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