U.S. Agency Notes 50% Hike In U.S. Arms Sales In 2022

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) last year saw a big spike in the arms sales it administers, including arms purchased directly by partners with their own funds and sales funded through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, C. Todd Lopez reported for Defense News.

Photo Insert: Buying a HIMARS system, for example, is more expensive than buying a howitzer," he said referring to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and how the improvement of equipment gets more costly.

Total arms sales in fiscal year 2022, about $52 billion worth, exceeded the previous year’s $34.81 billion in sales by nearly 50%.

James A. Hursch, the director of DSCA, cited factors such as the waning effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and concerns about China's rising influence in the Pacific as possible reasons for increased sales.

"Perhaps most importantly, [we attribute this to] the understanding among our partners and allies that we're back in an age of great power competition," Hursch said.

"They see what's happened in Ukraine. Central European countries, for example, are looking to get some of the same capabilities that have worked well for the Ukrainian army, and to increase their own capabilities for deterrence."

In the Pacific, allies and partners are wary of China's increasing dominance. "Allies are looking at China and the situations with China in Asia, and thinking they need to increase their capabilities," he said.

Last year's increase can also be attributed to existing partners now opting to buy more expensive gear, Hursch added. "As we continue to improve our equipment, it tends to get more costly.

Buying a HIMARS system, for example, is more expensive than buying a howitzer," he said referring to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. "And that's the sort of upgrade that several of our allies and partners are looking to do."

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