U.S. to sell fighter jets to Nigeria
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U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington presented a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) to the Chief of Air Staff Sadique Abubakar at Air Force headquarters in Abuja confirming the sale of the A-29 Super Tucano Attack Aircraft, Abubakar said in a statement.
Nigeria’s stability is strategic to the security of the West African sub-region and Washington is committed to helping Abuja decimate Boko Haram and other security threats, Symington said while presenting the LOA.
He added the fighter jets would strengthen the capacity of the air force and the U.S. would help with the timely supply of aircraft spares.
“The ambassador also indicated the readiness of U.S. officials to work with the NAF [Nigerian Air Force] officials to facilitate the early delivery of the aircraft once payment has been made.
In that regard, officials of both the U.S. and the NAF will be meeting “in early January to jointly study the LOA prior to subsequent endorsements by both parties,” the statement added.
The LOA will be signed and payments will be made before Feb. 20, 2018 to ensure production of the aircraft has begun, said a local military spokesperson. ■