US Arms Sales To Foreign Governments Climbing Rapidly

The Bush administration is pushing through a broad array of foreign weapons deals as it seeks to rearm Iraq and Afghanistan, contain North Korea and Iran, and solidify ties with onetime Russian allies.

From tanks, helicopters and fighter jets to missiles, remotely piloted aircraft and even warships, the Department of Defense has agreed so far this fiscal year to sell or transfer more than $32 billion in weapons and other military equipment to foreign governments, compared with $12 billion in 2005.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[jymfrancais]

What else do we still make in this country beside Arms?

[sammy333]

Cheney also motivates those governments to use the purchased items. Then they come back for re-stocking, consumables and spare parts.

[research]

"go ahead Georgia, attack Ossetia..."

[Kassandra]

Well, ya gotta admit..it's the first good economic news we've heard in awhile.................(sarcasm, OK?)

[DeanLowe]

Arm Iraq.
Start war with Iraq.
Defeat Iraq.
Repeat.

hmmm....

[biwee]

Those who bend and lick the boots of the Khazars know only death, violence and destruction.

[Diogenis]

Betta get George out of the White House. He intends to keep us bankrupt!

Obama/Biden 08

[research]

USA NUMBER ONE!!

In weapons and war.

That's it.

[martinchill]

"remotely piloted aircraft"

[DMcD]

Makes you wonder whos side these arms merchants are on anyway -------- Iraq had US warplanes , so does Iran ---- I'm sure our troops will be greatful in future conflicts ---- real smart (NOT).

[MajorKong]

Iraq had Russian and French aircraft. Iran does have some US-made aircraft but it's questionable how many are still flying due to lack of spare parts.

[totaldisbelief]

The "arms merchants" are on the side of who ever has the money to buy. Cash is King.

[mybelovedcountry]

only way we can balance the budget

[gmlaster]

Why why WHY are we selling these countries guns that they may later turn and use on us? Reminds me of the time when Russia went belly up after the fall of the Soviet Union, and their military, which was starving for money, began dealing arms under the table to make ends meet.

[totaldisbelief]

Because right now it's just good business for the Corporations.
Free Market; remember?

[ofbbg]

Because if they don't buy them from us, they'll buy them from Russia, or China, or France, or Singapore, or Belgium, or........... If they buy them from us, WE control the source of spare parts, WE control the level of technology included with the weapon, WE control the training of support personnel, WE control operator training, WE........

[danoj]

Who would have thought we would be selling and giving out weapons during a time of war, just the red meaters on the huffpo i guess. I would be interested to know if the statements made in the article include things like putting missle defence in poland and such.

[SharonWantsToTalk]

Correct me if I am wrong. But I understand that the United States number one export is weapons. Anyone?

[Guynemer]

You're wrong. The U.S. exports over a trillion dollars worth of goods every year. The $32 billion mentioned here doesn't even make a dent. Industrial sales, capital goods and agriculture are all far greater.

[Irons]

This is what the Iraq War, and any war, is all about.....sales, profits from war. Do you think the war pigs care who, or for what political agenda, their weapons and munitions kill? It's all about profits....every time a bomb or bullet is expended, it has to be replaced, which leads to profits for the manufacturer. Continual war means continual profits. These kind of war pigs have been in charge since Rehnquist betrayed the Constitution in 2000.

[MissingAmerica]

As I recall, we sold arms to Afghanistan when they fought Russia. We never educated them to let them know we helped them, and look where it got us. What does Bush think with? It can't be his brain! The GOP have gotten downright terrifying!

[ofbbg]

I think that support took place under the Clinton administration, which is also famous for the Somalia debacle, and not accepting the turnover of Osama Bin Laden!! (We won't mention the ineptitude exhibited when they destroyed inter-agency intelligence cooperation thus contributing, in large part, to 9/22!!)

[jqcitizen]

The shoulder fired missile (Stinger) supplied to Osama Bin Laden and the Mujaheddin, in Afghanistan, brought down numerous Soviet Helicopters. These were sent under the Reagan-Bush administration.

How many of these Stingers remain in the hands of this band of Saudi Arabian terrorists is known by someone. Just don't expect anyone in the current administration to let you know who they might be.

Ike, the former 5 Star General and former President, warned of this. Profiteering, by promoting war, is a lot worse than abortion or gay marriage.

I say, wake up Mr. and Mrs. America and vote for whoever you think has the correct ideas on national security.