U.S. Arms Transfers: Government Data 

FAS Resources  Other Databases Reports

American arms manufacturers have two major channels through which they can sell major weaponry to foreign countries: foreign military sales ("FMS"), in which a government-to-government agreement is negotiated by the Pentagon; and direct commercial sales ("DCS"), in which industry negotiates directly with the purchasing country and must apply for a license from the State Department.

The United States government also transfers arms to other countries by giving away weapons from U.S. military stocks for free or at greatly reduced prices, classified as excess defense articles (EDA) or emergency "drawdowns." The United States also provides military training to many foreign countries. These transfers are also managed by the Defense Department. For more information about types of U.S. arms transfers, read the "Ways and Means" chapter of The Arms Trade Revealed.

FAS Databases:

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Other Databases:

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Reports:

Section 655 Reports FMS Facts ATF CRS US Census Bureau
World Bank Statistics UN Register WMEAT Budget Justifications

"Section 655" Reports to Congress:

  • FY 2006: Includes DCS. Broken down by country.

  • FY 2005: Includes DCS, FMS, EDA, IMET, and drawdown assistance. Broken down by country.

  • FY 2004: Includes DCS, FMS, EDA, IMET, and drawdown assistance. Broken down by country.

  • FY 2003: Includes DCS, FMS, EDA, IMET, and drawdown assistance. Broken down by country.

  • FY 2002: Includes DCS, FMS, EDA, IMET, and drawdown assistance. Broken down by country.

  • FY 2001: Includes DCS, FMS, EDA, IMET, and drawdown assistance. Broken down by country.

  • FY 2000: Includes DCS, FMS, EDA, IMET, and drawdown assistance. Broken down by country.

  • FY 1999: Includes DCS and FMS. Broken down by country and region.

  • FY 1998: Includes DCS, EDA Authorized, EDA Furnished, Drawdowns, FMS, and IMET. Broken down by country and region. 

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Foreign Military Sales, Foreign Military Construction Sales and Military Assistance Facts is published by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency; the most current online edition includes information through FY 2006.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, "Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report," 2005.

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Congressional Research Service

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U.S. arms deliveries, category totals, 1994-1998. 1999. U.S. Census Bureau data, collected from shippers' export declarations, sorted by commodity type; includes specific recipient data from the Government Information Sharing Project.

World Bank Statistics on States' Arms Imports and Exports, as percentage of total imports and exports, 1990-1999.

United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.

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World Military Expenditures and Arms Transfers (WMEAT) is published by the U.S. State Department. Sales data in the most recent online report covers the 1989-1999 decade, and adds two years of sales data to the last report. Starting with the 1997 edition, the WMEAT report includes estimates of direct commercial sales based on licenses authorized. Prior to the 1997 report, figures for U.S. arms sales were probably understated.

The following reports are available in pdf format:

  1. Introduction
  2. Highlights: Military Expenditures
  3. Highlights: Armed Forces
  4. Highlights: Arms Transfers
  5. Highlights: Military Burden
  6. Regional Trends
  7. Country Rankings
  8. Table 1: Military Expenditures and Economic Indicators
  9. Table 2: Arms Deliveries and Total Trade
  10. Table 3: Arms Deliveries by Supplier and Recipient
  11. Table 4: Arms Agreements and Deliveries
  12. Table 5: Weapons Deliveries by Supplier and Type
  13. Statistical Notes

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Congressional Budget Justifications:

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U.S. Army Weapons System Handbook contains detailed descriptions of many U.S. military weapons systems.

For a general guide to key sources of data and analysis on the arms trade, check out the "For More Information" chapter of The Arms Trade Revealed: a Guide for Investigators and Activists.  

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