Kainji Air Force Base in Nigeria celebrated the completion of $38 million of improvements to the air base on April 27, in the presence of senior officials from the US Department of State and Department of Defense, and Nigerian Air Force partners. The construction of the air base improvements is a crucial step in facilitating the operation and maintenance of the A-29 Super Tucano wing and associated munitions, which are stationed at the base.
The improvements were delivered as part of a $500 million foreign military sale to Nigeria, which also included the delivery of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, precision munitions, and training to enhance air-to-ground integration and mitigate the risk of civilian harm.
The base improvements were delivered in two main phases, with the first phase completed in the summer of 2021 to facilitate the safe delivery of the first A-29 aircraft. Crews are now finishing the second and final phase of air base improvement projects, which include improved base security, munitions storage and maintenance, aircraft hangars and aprons, and training facilities.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, oversaw the construction of these projects, which are key to facilitating the operation and maintenance of the 12 A-29 Super Tucanos and their accompanying munitions.
Nigeria’s A-29 program is the largest US foreign military sales case to date to a country in Sub-Saharan Africa, an example of Nigeria’s leadership in being, as is the Nigerian Air Force’s motto, “willing, able, and ready” to contribute to security and stability at home and around the region.
The US is committed to assisting Nigeria in its efforts to create a more peaceful, prosperous nation, and this project demonstrates the strong partnership between the United States and Nigeria.
