Washington, Sep 7 (DPA) The US not only increased its arms sales by nearly 50 percent last year but its share of world weapons sales also rose to more than two-thirds despite the global economic downturn, a newspaper reported Monday.
The country expanded its ranking as the top weapons supplier with sales of $37.8 billion last year, or 68 percent of the world total, up from $25.4 billion in 2007, said The New York Times, citing a report from the Congressional Research Service, considered the US Congress’ “think tank”.
The increases were seen despite a 7.6 percent drop in global arms sales to $55.2 billion.
US sales rose from major new orders from the Middle East and Asia and contracts with existing customers for equipment and support services, the agency’s report said.
Ranked second in global arms sales was Italy with $3.7 billion, followed by Russia with $3.5 billion. Russia saw a considerable drop from the $10.8 billion in weapons it sold in 2007, the report said.
The US also took the top spot in arms sales to developing nations, making $29.6 billion, or 70 percent, of such sales.
The top buyers among developing nations last year were the United Arab Emirates with purchases of $9.7 billion, followed by Saudi Arabia at $8.7 billion and Morocco with $5.4 billion, the report said.
