TheCable

Stuart Symington, United States (US) ambassador to Nigeria, has presented letters of offer and acceptance (LOA) to the Nigerian air force (NAF) for the planned sale of the A29 Super Tucano warplane.

The presentation was made to Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff, at NAF headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

In April, the US government approved the sale of 12 Super Tucano A-29 ground attack aircraft worth $593m, a deal which would include supplying the Nigerian armed forces with ammunition, training and aircraft maintenance.

During the presentation, Symington said peace in Nigeria was key to the security of West Africa as a whole and the world in general.

He expressed the US government’s commitment to helping Nigeria completely end the Boko Haram menace and also eliminate all forms of terrorism that posed threats to peace.

He also said NAF’s capacity to fight Boko Haram and other militants could be greatly enhanced by the acquisition of the Super Tucano Aircraft.

The ambassador said US government officials and the NAF representatives would meet in January 2018 to review the LOA before final endorsements by both parties.

Abubakar, while receiving the letter, expressed appreciation for the US government’s support towards sustaining NAF air operations in the fight against Boko Haram.

He also praised the personal commitment of the ambassador to ensuring that the Super Tucano aircraft deal become finalised.

The chief of air staff reassured Symington of NAF’s commitment to meet the stipulated deadlines.