The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of 12 Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) A-29 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft to Nigeria to counter terrorist groups and drug traffickers, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Aug. 3.
The deal, including weapons, training, spare parts and support equipment, would have a total value of $593 million, DSCA said. Congress was formally notified of the sale Aug. 2 and has 30 days to review it.
“The proposed sale, and associated training and engagement, is one piece of broader U.S. security cooperation to help professionalize, modernize and build the capacity of Nigeria’s armed forces and strengthen the U.S. security relationship with Africa’s largest democracy,” DSCA said.