Editing Niger Armed Forces (section)

==Budget and foreign aid==
[[Niger]]'s defense budget is modest, accounting for about 1.6% of government expenditures. France provides the largest share of military assistance to Niger. The [[People's Republic of China]] also provide military assistance. Approximately 18 French military advisers are in Niger. Many Nigérien military personnel receive training in France, and the Nigerien Armed Forces are equipped mainly with material either given by or purchased in France. United States assistance has focused on training pilots and aviation support personnel, professional military education for staff officers, and initial specialty training for junior officers. A small foreign military assistance program was initiated in 1983 and a U.S. [[Defense Attaché System|Defense Attaché]] office opened in June 1985. After being converted to a Security Assistance Office in 1987, it was subsequently closed in 1996, following a coup d'état. A U.S. Defense Attaché office reopened in July 2000.

The United States provided transportation and logistical assistance to Nigerien troops deployed to Ivory Coast in 2003.

Additionally, the US provided initial equipment training on vehicles and communications gear to a company of Nigerien soldiers as part of the Department of State [[Pan Sahel Initiative]]. Military to military cooperation continues via the [[Trans-Saharan Counter Terrorism Partnership]] and other initiatives. [[EUCOM]] contributes funds for humanitarian assistance construction throughout the country. In 2007, a congressional waiver was granted which allows the Niger military to participate in the [[International Military Education and Training]] (IMET) program, managed by the Security Cooperation Office. This program funded $170,000 in training in 2007.