US Delivers Tactical Equipment to Niger

The Office of Security Cooperation Niger held a G5 Sahel Equipment Handover Ceremony at the Direction Centrale du Materiel in Niamey, Niger, June 6, 2019.



By U.S. Army Maj. Maia Molina-Schaefer U.S. Embassy, Niger Niamey, Niger Jun 10, 2019
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 3 images

NIAMEY, Niger -- The Office of Security Cooperation Niger held a G5 Sahel Equipment Handover Ceremony at the Direction Centrale du Materiel in Niamey, Niger, June 6, 2019.

The equipment, which is the first shipment of the more than $21 million the United States has pledged to provide to Niger for the G5 Sahel efforts, included transport, fuel, and water trucks; GPS-enabled navigation systems; fuel containers; military tents and individual soldier equipment.

This shipment, along with the forthcoming armored and tactical vehicles, communication equipment, and personal protective gear, will bolster Niger's capability to deploy the mobile infantry force assigned to the G5 Sahel Joint Force and improve security along Niger's Mali and Burkina Faso borders, said Nigerien Defense Minister Kalla Moutari.

Moutari hailed the equipment as a major contribution to Nigerien defense and reminded everyone that it demonstrated the United States’ commitment to helping Niger in its fight against terrorist organizations.  

The ceremony was also attended by Nigerien Gen. Ahmed Mohamed, chief of defense forces, U.S. Ambassador to Niger Eric P. Whitaker, Principal Director for African Affairs Michelle Lenihan, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher E. Craige, director of strategy, engagement, and programs for U.S. Africa Command.

The United States' assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force is just one component of the larger and longer-term security sector support the U.S. provides to Niger. The embassy's office of security cooperation arranged for Niger to receive 21 armored personnel carriers. In addition, the U.S. provided four medical evacuation aircraft, as well as training for Nigerien pilots and maintenance crews.

Today, those armored vehicles and aircraft are directly supporting operations in the fight against terrorism. Additionally, OSC Niger coordinates professional military education training and conferences that send Nigerien officers and soldiers to the U.S. for training on human rights, combat medical skills, logistics, and communications.

During the ceremony, Whitaker spoke about the strong partnership between the two countries and the dedication Niger has shown to supporting security efforts in the region.

"When peace was threatened in the Sahel, Nigeriens rose to preserve it,” he said.

More in Partnerships
AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa
From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.
Read more
AFRICOM and Kenya Defence forces issue first-ever African chiefs of defense joint communiqué, setting course for continental security opportunities
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have formally released the first Joint Communiqué to emerge from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a new phase of coordinated action among African and international defense leaders.
Read more
West Africa Logistics Conference Hosted by U.S. Africa Command, Armed Forces of Liberia
Read more
More in Partnerships
AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa
From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.
Read more
AFRICOM and Kenya Defence forces issue first-ever African chiefs of defense joint communiqué, setting course for continental security opportunities
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have formally released the first Joint Communiqué to emerge from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a new phase of coordinated action among African and international defense leaders.
Read more
West Africa Logistics Conference Hosted by U.S. Africa Command, Armed Forces of Liberia
Read more
More in Partnerships
AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa
From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.
Read more
AFRICOM and Kenya Defence forces issue first-ever African chiefs of defense joint communiqué, setting course for continental security opportunities
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have formally released the first Joint Communiqué to emerge from the African Chiefs of Defense Conference (ACHOD), marking a new phase of coordinated action among African and international defense leaders.
Read more
West Africa Logistics Conference Hosted by U.S. Africa Command, Armed Forces of Liberia
Read more