Washington, D.C. (Agencies): The United States achieved a record $318.7 billion in arms sales to foreign governments in 2024, marking a 29% increase from the previous year. This surge was primarily driven by countries seeking to replenish weapons stocks donated to Ukraine amid ongoing global instability.
The State Department highlighted that arms sales and transfers are crucial U.S. foreign policy tools with significant implications for regional and global security. Major deals approved in 2024 included $23 billion in F-16 jets and upgrades for Turkey, $18.8 billion in F-15 fighter jets for Israel, and $2.5 billion in M1A2 Abrams tanks for Romania.
Despite facing allegations of genocide in Gaza, the U.S. approved $18.8 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets for Israel. ProPublica reported that Secretary of State Antony Blinken ignored explicit warnings about Israeli human rights violations and continued to approve arms transfers in violation of U.S. law.
The Biden administration’s final-year figures underscore the growing demand for U.S. military equipment as nations bolster their defenses. Direct military sales by U.S. companies rose to $200.8 billion, while government-arranged sales increased to $117.9 billion.