U.S. sales to foreign military hit $33.6 billion in 2016

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Foreign military sales in fiscal 2016 reached a total of $33.6 billion, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

DSCA, which manages the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, announced that the total includes $2.9 billion of Foreign Military Financing-funded cases; $5.0 billion in Building Partner Capacity-funded cases; and $25.7 billion funded by partner nations.

"Fiscal Year 2016 sales were strong and demonstrate that the FMS process is responsive," said DSCA Director Vice Adm. Joseph Rixey. "Whether a sale is 'counted' under one fiscal year or the next is dependent on when each case is implemented, so comparison of the year-to-year totals can be misleading. Instead, when you examine the three-year moving sales averages, you can see the continuing, growing sales-trend over the last decade.

"This year's totals indicate that our partners continue to seek the quality products and services we offer."

Some of the largest sales for the year include over $3 billion for P8-A Poseidon aircraft for the United Kingdom and $1.15 billion for Abrams tanks and HERCULES armored vehicles for Saudi Arabia.

FMS is a form of security assistance authorized by the Arms Export Control Act. It allows the sale of defense article and services, and military training to foreign countries and international organizations.