The United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency has announced the sale of 12 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters and related defence systems to the Nigerian military valued at $1 billion following a request made by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, IgbereTV reports
The announcement was made on Thursday, after the US State Department cleared the sale following the lifting of objections over human rights concerns by US lawmakers
The entire sale of military hardware includes Bell-made Cobras, 28 General Electric-made T700-401C engines, 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems used to convert unguided missiles into precision-guided missiles, and night vision, targeting and navigation systems.
According to the announcement, $25m in the package will be dedicated to “institutional and technical assistance to Nigeria’s military to continue its Air-to-Ground Integration program, which concerns targeting processes that are consistent with international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict.”
