Pentagon notifies Congress of $593 million military sale to Nigeria
Tue Aug 29, 2017 10:01:am World
3.2K By Abdulkerimu Oare
- US Sells planes and weapons worth $593 million to Nigeria.
- Deal was initially delayed by Obama for Human rights reasons.
- Trump plans to approve similar deals previously delayed by Obama.
The Pentagon has notified the U.S. Congress on Monday of the sale to Nigeria of 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and other weapons worth $593 million.
These planes and weapons are essential in the West African nation's fight against the militant group Boko Haram.
This sale was initially delayed under the Obama administration as a result of a Nigerian Air Force accident that resulted in the death of 90 to 170 civillians.
According to reports from Reuters, "The Super Tucano A-29, an agile, propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance and surveillance as well as attack capabilities, is made by Brazil's Embraer. A second production line is in Florida, in a partnership between Embraer and privately held Sierra Nevada Corp of Sparks, Nevada.
The Super Tucano costs more than $10 million each and the price can go much higher depending on the configuration. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT 6 engine.
The Obama administration delayed the deal after incidents including the Nigerian Air Force's bombing of a refugee camp in January that killed 90 to 170 civilians.
President Donald Trump has said he plans to go ahead with foreign defense sales delayed under Obama by human rights concerns."
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