U.S. prevented sale of Israeli helicopters to Nigeria

[Scorpion]

U.S. prevented sale of Israeli helicopters to Nigeria
Nigerians wanted to buy retired Cobra attack helicopters last summer to fight Boko Haram.

The Israel Air Force took its American-made Cobra attack helicopters out of active service in 2013, after over 30 years of operation. Since the Cobras were retired and the helicopter squadron shut down, the Ministry of Defense has been looking to sell the helicopters. As far as is known, the ministry has not succeeded in selling the Cobras, but it did not reply to a request by Haaretz to know whether there have been any contacts for such a sale.

One of the counties that were interested in buying the helicopters was Nigeria. Last summer, despite the advanced stage of the negotiations with Nigeria, the weapons deal fell through.

Haaretz has learned that the Defense Ministry had already made plans for the sale to Nigeria and the transfer of the helicopters – but the United States prevented the sale, due to fears that civilians would be harmed during the use of the helicopters in Nigeria.

The New York Times reported at the end of December that the U.S. had blocked the sale “amid concerns in Washington about Nigeria’s ability to use and maintain that type of helicopter in its effort against Boko Haram, and continuing worries about Nigeria’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations.”

The halt to the sale brought about further tensions in the already fraught relations between the U.S. and Nigeria, partly based on the fight against Boko Haram.

Israel significantly increased the volume of its weapons sales to African countries in 2013 compared to previous years. Defense Ministry figures show that 2013 was the record year for weapons sales to African countries: A total of $233 million worth of arms and military technology. In the four previous years, the annual amount of such contracts was between $70 million and $120 million.

Another African country could still be a potential customer for the Israeli helicopters, said a defense source. They could be upgraded before the sale. In the past, the ministry said about the Cobra negotiations that “sales of military surpluses were conducted routinely, based on the appropriate procedures and approvals from the ministry – and only to approved countries and bodies.”


The Defense Ministry said: “As a rule, the ministry does not comment on matters of defense exports.”

U.S. prevented sale of Israeli helicopters to Nigeria - Diplomacy and Defense - Israel News | Haaretz

 

[Gasoline]

Very interesting .

I observe these days Israel strengthening its relations with Africa ..They deal as a state .

Hopefully that will help to eliminate Boko Haram's activity .

 

[orangesunset]

Isreal is a good US ally and USA should trust their judgment. Isreal is also a small country, and they need to get extra money. Unless USA is going to buy the used helicopters off Isreal they should butt out.

 

[vegito12]

I don't think Nigeria took this well as they have the money not sure from where, and will be interesting to see how they get over this and how they react to it. I think the Nigeria people not ready for this sort of the responsibility, as they need training and education before they get this sort of equipment. The USA maybe, had a good reason to do this and may be a good one and will save them from having bad relations with other countries.

 

[jeremy2]

In times of war,there is always collateral damage. How many innocent Afghans have been killed when Americans launch "precision" strikes against the Taliban? The Nigerians had a valid reason for wanting those choppers. Yes, there have been reports of human rights abuses in the ongoing war being waged against the Boko haram but those are isolated cases. The Nigerians need to protect their sovereignty by all means necessary.

 

[Uncle Doc J]

I can't say for certain, but they probably did that in order to avoid forming another 'Iraq' (who fought us & our allies with weapons which WE originally supplied.)

A Green-brother (Hank, John; I forget which) outlines Boko Haram's history (which should've been stopped a long time ago) ... maybe the review will help to solve the problem.

 

[Goblinforhire]

concerns in Washington about Nigeria’s ability to use and maintain that type of helicopter in its effort against Boko Haram, and continuing worries about Nigeria’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations.”

This is an interesting statement. It seems that they (the US) have knowledge of the Nigerians killing civilians in the fight against Boko Haram.
So to me, this statement translates to "You can't have this toy until you prove you are responsible" Which I am fully in agreement with, surely in this day and age the deaths of innocents can be diminished.

 

[Rowe992]

The US is such a big hypocrite. They use drones in Iraq and Afghanistan to kill hundreds of civilians but whenever another country try to take actions that may put civilians in danger then they are the first to speak out. Nigeria should source the helicopters needed else where and leave the American puppet (Israel) alone.

 

[Coltodor]

The U.S. should have butt out of a deal between the Israel and Nigeria. I don't really like Israel but what the U.S. is doing look hypocritical. The U.S. harm civilians all the time and yet they want to get in the way of a sovereign country. It would be better if the U.S. look at it own policy instead.