Kathmandu, Jan 31: In response to heightened global tensions, particularly in the aftermath of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the United States witnessed a significant increase in weapon sales last year, reaching a staggering $238 billion. This information was disclosed by the US Department of State, highlighting the surge in demand for weaponry.

Of the total sales, $81 billion was directly facilitated by the US government, marking a substantial 56 percent surge compared to the figures from 2022. Notably, all transactions were conducted directly between US defense companies and various nations seeking to bolster their military capabilities.

Among the prominent buyers, Poland emerged as a key player, driven by the need to expand its military strength. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ report until October revealed that Poland engaged in major acquisitions, including $12 billion for Apache helicopters, $10 billion for the high mobility artillery rocket system, and $3.75 billion for M1A1 Abrams tanks. An additional $4 billion was invested in an integrated air and missile defense warfare command system.

Other nations, such as Germany, allocated $8.5 billion for the purchase of Chinook helicopters and $1.5 billion for Stryker armored vehicles. Norway also joined the list, securing a multi-mission helicopter valued at $1 billion from the United States. The surge in arms sales reflects the global landscape’s growing need for military preparedness amid evolving geopolitical challenges.