FP: Russian fears helped US double arms sales to Europe

"Last year, the US government approved 14 major arms deals with alliance allies worth about $15.5 billion," the statement said.

Gramer stressed that this year the number of contracts has increased to 24, worth about $28 billion, including Finland, a NATO candidate.

In November, the Pentagon reported that the US administration had approved the possible sale of eight HIMARS MLRS to Lithuania.