Ukraine crisis fuels surge in U.S. arms sales in 2022

　　Xinhua News Agency, Washington, January 27 (Reporter Deng Xianlai) According to data released by the US State Department a few days ago, in fiscal year 2022 (October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022), US arms sales to other countries and regions are higher than the previous year. The sharp increase of nearly 50% in the first fiscal year is mainly due to the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine.

　　According to data released by the U.S. State Department on the 25th, the total foreign arms sales of the U.S. government authorized by the State Department in fiscal year 2022 jumped to approximately US$51.9 billion, a surge of 49.1% from US$34.8 billion in the previous fiscal year.

　　The data also shows that in fiscal year 2022, the total value of U.S. defense contractors' direct sales of weapons and military equipment to other countries and regions is about 153.7 billion U.S. dollars, a surge of 48.6% from the 103.4 billion U.S. dollars in the previous fiscal year.

As of the end of fiscal year 2022, the total number of entities engaged in defense trade activities registered with the Defense Trade Control Bureau under the State Council reached 14,445, an increase from the previous fiscal year.

　　The U.S. State Department attributed the surge in direct commercial arms sales to U.S. support for Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and claimed that arms transfers and defense trade are important tools of U.S. foreign policy.

　　The foreign military sales figures for fiscal 2022 represent total potential deals that the State Department has notified Congress, not final sales, some of which may be rejected by Congress.

From a geographical point of view, US foreign military sales cover Europe, the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

　　Pentagon officials say many countries, especially those in Central Europe, want more expensive American-style weapons that have served so well in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

It is estimated that the Ukrainian crisis will lead to a continuous increase in U.S. arms sales for some time to come.

　　The list of military aid to Ukraine updated by the U.S. Department of Defense on the 25th shows that since February last year, the total amount of U.S. military aid to Ukraine has exceeded 27.1 billion US dollars.