The United States has formally agreed to sell 12
Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons to Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force said, confirming the resurrection of a deal frozen
by the Obama administration over rights concerns.
Former U.S.
President Barack Obama delayed the sale in one of his last decisions in
office after the Nigerian Air Force bombed a refugee camp in January.
President Barack Obama delayed the sale in one of his last decisions in
office after the Nigerian Air Force bombed a refugee camp in January.
But
his successor Donald Trump decided to press on with the transaction to
support Nigeria’s efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and to boost
U.S. defence jobs, sources told Reuters in April.
his successor Donald Trump decided to press on with the transaction to
support Nigeria’s efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and to boost
U.S. defence jobs, sources told Reuters in April.
The
U.S. ambassador to Nigeria presented letters of offer and acceptance to
Nigeria’s air force earlier on Wednesday, the air force said in a
statement.
U.S. ambassador to Nigeria presented letters of offer and acceptance to
Nigeria’s air force earlier on Wednesday, the air force said in a
statement.
It said the U.S. State Department
had approved the sale and final agreements would be signed and necessary
payments made before Feb. 20.
had approved the sale and final agreements would be signed and necessary
payments made before Feb. 20.
There was no immediate statement from the U.S. embassy or from authorities in Washington.
U.S.
government and Nigerian Air Force officials would meet in early January
to discuss the early delivery of the aircraft once payment had been
made, the Nigerian air force said.
government and Nigerian Air Force officials would meet in early January
to discuss the early delivery of the aircraft once payment had been
made, the Nigerian air force said.
The sale of the 12 aircraft, with weapons and services, is worth $593 million, and includes thousands of bombs and rockets.
The
propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance, surveillance and 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.
propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance, surveillance and 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. (Reuters)
$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. (Reuters)
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