U.S. Share of Worldwide Arms Market Grows

[tpsbmam]

Source: NY Times

Despite a recession that knocked down global arms sales last year, the United States expanded its role as the world’s leading weapons supplier, increasing its share to more than two-thirds of all foreign armaments deals, according to a new Congressional study.

The United States signed weapons agreements valued at $37.8 billion in 2008, or 68.4 percent of all business in the global arms bazaar, up significantly from American sales of $25.4 billion the year before.

Italy was a distant second, with $3.7 billion in worldwide weapons agreements in 2008, while Russia was third with $3.5 billion in arms sales last year — down considerably from the $10.8 billion in weapons deals signed by Moscow in 2007.

The growth in weapons sales by the United States last year was particularly noticeable against worldwide trends. The value of global arms sales in 2008 was $55.2 billion, a drop of 7.6 percent from 2007 and the lowest total for international weapons agreements since 2005.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/07/world/07weapons.html?hp

[virginia mountainman]

1. The US makes military weapon systems that work as advertised..

Unlike the other major player, the Russians...

[TheLastMohican]

13. Fail

Russian systems are just cheaper and more efficient.

AK-47 - kicking some arse for 60 years.

[virginia mountainman]

14. A few successes does not an arms program make..

Yes, the AK47 IS a success, but what about the MIG fighters VS Western Fighters??

How about the disaster the T72 has been? Not to mention the ease in which western aircraft get past Russian SAM batteries and radar...

[gtar100]

2. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Pretty soon our military won't have much of a country left to protect. But that really wasn't their point of existing anyway, now was it.

[troubledamerican]

12. +1

[harmonicon]

3. this shit has to stop

I really think that the best way to bring peace to the world would be to ban arms trading between countries. Want to fight a war? Make your own weapons. If a country without weapons is attacked by one with, those who think that's a shame should step in and declare war on the aggressor instead of profiting from death.

[Pavulon]

4. Proof that quality is still appreciated. See walmart

stop importing trash built by third world labor and sell quality. Have to go to williams and sonoma or macys just to get a decent fucking set of kitchen knives for $200. Quality is a good thing, you only cry once when you buy quality.

You want a jet or an aegis cruiser you buy the best, made here by union labor paying guys and gals great wages.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. We're Number 1 !!! We're number 1 !!!!!

Our government must be so proud.

[Pavulon]

6. People in Bath, Maine are..

been making the best warships in the world for quite a while. Pays good and employs people who need work.

Lots of places like that manufacture weapon systems.

[Vidar]

7. Death & destruction, that's what we're good for.

[Hulk]

8. SH*T!! It's ALL we produce anymore!!

That's no bull shit. It's all we make for export. Guns, bombs, jet fighters, etc. We ARE the world's arms dealer and producer. The corporate heads make more money, the world creates more death and destruction.

TY USA!! We're #1.

[oct2010]

9. China isn't far behind with their cheap knockoff merchandise if you know what I mean

US defense jobs soon to be offshored ?
Those are the highest paid defense contract machinists still employeed in the US.

[hack89]

10. Until it is proven in combat

China is not a issue - countries that can afford it will buy western weapons because they a sterling reputation in combat.

[Heidi]

11. Recommended.

:kick: