U.S. Approves Over $330 Billion in Arms Sales Amid Pressure for Faster Delivery

Washington, March 18: A senior official from the U.S. State Department revealed that the United States approved arms exports exceeding $330 billion in the last fiscal year. The Trump administration took steps to improve the slow and complex defense sales system to ensure rapid supply to allied nations.

Stanley L. Brown, a senior official in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, informed lawmakers that this level of approvals reflects the global demand for American weapon systems.

During a hearing with the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brown stated, “This demand shows how much our allies and partners trust American defense technology and see the U.S. as their preferred security partner.”

However, he acknowledged that the current system struggles to keep pace with this demand. “Our system has not always operated at the necessary speed or level to meet urgent operational needs,” he noted.

In his statement, the State Department official referenced several executive orders, including the “America First Arms Transfer Strategy,” aimed at expediting the approval process, strengthening the defense industrial base, and aligning arms sales with national security priorities.

He cautioned lawmakers that outdated notification limits and procedural delays could push partner nations toward alternative suppliers, potentially leading to “long-term interoperability challenges and geopolitical consequences.”

Mike Duffy, the Pentagon’s acquisition chief, also emphasized the need for reform, linking arms transfers directly to U.S. military readiness and industrial capacity.

“Our national security is inextricably linked to the strength of our defense industrial base and our international partners,” Duffy stated.

He added that the administration is restructuring the system to remove regulatory barriers and speed up delivery times. “America First does not mean America alone,” he remarked.

Duffy explained that new arrangements with defense contractors aim to boost production, allowing companies to invest more capital and increase the output of critical munitions and systems.

According to officials, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency manages over $100 billion in arms transfers annually and supports security cooperation in 136 U.S. embassies.

Sharp differences emerged among lawmakers regarding these reforms and their broader implications.

Chairman Brian Mast defended the administration’s approach, labeling the current process a “Cold War relic” that actively harms U.S. national security by delaying arms supplies and weakening allies.

He also supported the use of emergency powers to expedite arms transfers, stating such measures are essential for partners to receive weapons “quickly.”

Congressman Ryan Zinke pointed out structural inefficiencies, noting a backlog of nearly $250 billion in pending foreign military sales and the absence of a unified tracking system.

He called for “speed, lethality, and an organized database” to improve accountability and delivery times.

Ranking member Gregory Meeks warned that the administration has shown “systematic contempt for congressional oversight,” cautioning that bypassing review processes undermines accountability and harms alliances.

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean criticized the administration for its “ignorance and deep contempt for Congress’s constitutional role,” particularly concerning arms transfers related to ongoing conflicts.

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