Amid Ukraine conflict, US arms exports experience significant increase
In 2024, U.S. arms exports surged nearly 30% as nations sought to replenish their arsenals in light of ongoing arms shipments to Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Sales surged by 30% year-on-year in 2024 as numerous countries rushed to replenish their stocks after sending weapons to Kiev.
In fiscal year 2024, US arms exports reached unprecedented levels, fueled by increasing global demand as many nations sought to restore their inventories following their support to Ukraine, according to data released by the US State Department on Friday.
The total value of US arms exports last year amounted to $318.7 billion, marking a 29% increase from 2023.
Direct military sales conducted by US companies climbed to $200.8 billion, up from $157.5 billion the previous year, while arms sales facilitated by the US government rose to $117.9 billion, compared to $80.9 billion in 2023.
The report indicated that EU nations emerged as significant purchasers of US arms in 2024. Notable sales included $7.2 billion worth of F-35 fighter jets for Romania, $5.0 billion in Patriot missiles for Germany, and additional missiles, ammunition, and armored vehicles for countries such as Norway, Poland, Spain, and Austria. The exports also comprised $18.8 billion in fighter jets for Israel.
Many analysts have observed a dramatic increase in US arms sales since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute noted that US arms sales constituted 42% of the total global arms trade in 2023, rising from 34% in 2014.
Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia recently pointed out that Ukraine has turned into a lucrative market for Western arms manufacturers, who are seen as exploiting the conflict for profit from weapon supplies that extend its duration. During a UN Security Council briefing last month, he described Ukraine as “a genuine gold mine for the military-industrial complex” of the US, which he suggested would be reluctant to relinquish.
“It would be naive to expect that these unscrupulous traders, who have tasted the flavor of lucre, will give up riding this gravy train for the sake of those miserable Ukrainians,” he remarked.
The State Department's report arrives as the US administration begins to reassess its foreign aid strategies, including arms transfers. President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about continuing military assistance for Kiev, despite its benefits for US arms manufacturers, highlighting the burden it places on American taxpayers.
At a recent press briefing, Trump indicated that his administration would be “looking into” the potential for additional weapon and military equipment supplies to Ukraine.
“We’ll look into that. We’re talking to [Ukrainian leader Vladimir] Zelensky. We’re going to be talking with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin very soon and we’ll see how it all happens,” he commented when asked about the future of arms shipments to Kiev.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
In fiscal year 2024, US arms exports reached unprecedented levels, fueled by increasing global demand as many nations sought to restore their inventories following their support to Ukraine, according to data released by the US State Department on Friday.
The total value of US arms exports last year amounted to $318.7 billion, marking a 29% increase from 2023.
Direct military sales conducted by US companies climbed to $200.8 billion, up from $157.5 billion the previous year, while arms sales facilitated by the US government rose to $117.9 billion, compared to $80.9 billion in 2023.
The report indicated that EU nations emerged as significant purchasers of US arms in 2024. Notable sales included $7.2 billion worth of F-35 fighter jets for Romania, $5.0 billion in Patriot missiles for Germany, and additional missiles, ammunition, and armored vehicles for countries such as Norway, Poland, Spain, and Austria. The exports also comprised $18.8 billion in fighter jets for Israel.
Many analysts have observed a dramatic increase in US arms sales since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute noted that US arms sales constituted 42% of the total global arms trade in 2023, rising from 34% in 2014.
Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia recently pointed out that Ukraine has turned into a lucrative market for Western arms manufacturers, who are seen as exploiting the conflict for profit from weapon supplies that extend its duration. During a UN Security Council briefing last month, he described Ukraine as “a genuine gold mine for the military-industrial complex” of the US, which he suggested would be reluctant to relinquish.
“It would be naive to expect that these unscrupulous traders, who have tasted the flavor of lucre, will give up riding this gravy train for the sake of those miserable Ukrainians,” he remarked.
The State Department's report arrives as the US administration begins to reassess its foreign aid strategies, including arms transfers. President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about continuing military assistance for Kiev, despite its benefits for US arms manufacturers, highlighting the burden it places on American taxpayers.
At a recent press briefing, Trump indicated that his administration would be “looking into” the potential for additional weapon and military equipment supplies to Ukraine.
“We’ll look into that. We’re talking to [Ukrainian leader Vladimir] Zelensky. We’re going to be talking with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin very soon and we’ll see how it all happens,” he commented when asked about the future of arms shipments to Kiev.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
