Nigeria: Significant reinforcement of weapons for air operations

Nigeria is bolstering its air force capabilities with the delivery of a significant shipment of weaponry valued at $346 million. The shipment includes guided munitions, bombs, and tactical rockets for use on light attack aircraft.

Transported by a C-17 transport aircraft, the equipment should allow Nigerian forces to improve their strike capabilities and especially the accuracy of their air operations.

The shipment includes 1,000 500-pound bombs, laser guidance kits, and over 5,000 guided rockets. This equipment supplements the resources already available to the Nigerian Air Force.

For several years, Abuja has been modernizing its fleet and diversifying its equipment to strengthen its air support for ground operations. The country notably possesses 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, light attack planes suited to surveillance, ground support, and counter-armed group missions.

The strengthening of this arsenal comes as Nigerian forces remain engaged on several security fronts, notably in the northeast of the country against Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa, but also in other areas facing attacks from armed groups.

This new allocation is part of Nigeria's efforts to increase the effectiveness of its military operations and strengthen the capabilities of its air force.

Yolande Bazié