The Pentagon has notified the U.S. Congress on the sale to Nigeria of 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons worth
$593 million, which the West African country wants for its fight against
the militant group, Boko Haram.
$593 million, which the West African country wants for its fight against
the militant group, Boko Haram.
The move on the
sale, which included thousands of bombs and rockets and was originally
agreed by former President Barack Obama’s administration, was announced
by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
sale, which included thousands of bombs and rockets and was originally
agreed by former President Barack Obama’s administration, was announced
by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Source: Reuters
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