US to Sell $346 Million Worth of APKWS II Bombs and Missiles to Nigeria

The United States has approved the sale of APKWS II precision-guided aerial munitions and missiles to Nigeria for a total of $346 million.

According to the US Department of Defense’s Office of Military Cooperation, the package includes 1,002 Mk-82 bombs, detonators, 5,000 APKWS II guided missile systems, and related equipment.

It is expected that the Nigerian Air Force will be able to seamlessly integrate these munitions into its combat capabilities.

Nigeria’s combat aviation is based on 12 Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, which are already used in operations against armed groups.

In addition, there are three JF-17 fighters, 11 F-7 fighters, as well as 12 Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet trainer aircraft serving as assault aircraft.

Nigeria has also ordered 24 M-346FA (Fighter Attack) light jet combat aircraft from the Italian manufacturer Leonardo.

According to the American side, the deal is aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force in the fight against terrorism and providing them with modern means of destruction.

APKWS II

APKWS II is an advanced system that converts conventional unguided Hydra 70 70 mm caliber missiles into guided weapons by adding a guidance module.

The enhancement includes an infrared sensor to target the thermal signature of the target after the initial laser illumination.

This makes it possible to intercept even fast or maneuvering targets, such as barrage munitions.

The APKWS II system is actively used not only by the air force but also by ground units. For example, in 2023, a Humvee-based VAMPIRE system was spotted in Ukraine shooting down Russian drones.

In June, the United States redirected components for APKWS laser-guided missiles, which were intended for delivery to Ukraine, to its Air Force units in the Middle East.