Report: US Sold $42 Billion in Weapons to Other Nations in 2017

The Pentagon on Wednesday said the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency sold nearly $42 billion in weapons to other nations in 2017, a 25 percent rise from last year.

The DSCA, which implements foreign arms sales and is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, said sales included $32.02 billion funded by partner nations through the Foreign Military Sales system.

Under the FMS program, the U.S., “may sell defense articles and services to foreign countries and international organizations when the president formally finds that to do so will strengthen the security of the U.S. and promote world peace.”

“We deliver not only the most effective defense systems to our partners, but we also ensure a ‘Total Package’ approach that includes the provision of training, maintenance, and sustainment, to support full spectrum capability for our partners,” DSCA Director LTG Charles W. Hooper said in a statement.

The State Department on the same day approved $500 million in sales of artillery rocket systems and air-to-air missiles to Poland, a move the Russian government criticized since it believes it undermines regional security.

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