Numbers show dramatic decline in US arms sales to foreign countries in first third of the year 

An examination of large arms sales on the website of the DSCA for the first third of 2021 compared to the same period of last year shows a decline of $8.5 billion, or about 60% 

Numbers show dramatic decline in US arms sales to foreign countries in first third of the year 

By Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt - commons file, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68095681

The numbers say everything. A comparison of data on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) website shows that during the months of January to April of 2020, there were 19 arms deals totaling about $13.783 billion. This year (assuming that no more arms deals will be authorized this month) there were 12 deals worth a total of $5.23 billion. It marks a decline of $8.5 billion, or about 60%, in arms sales to foreign countries.     

The reasons for the decline in arms sales via the DSCA are not yet clear.  It is possible that it is partially connected to a trend by the Biden administration that reached a climax recently with the decision to withdraw all American forces from Afghanistan by the target date of September 11 this year. It is possible that this trend is also substantial in other fields of American foreign policy, namely military aid to allied countries and/or NATO member states.    

An additional reason could be the COVID-19 pandemic that has put pressure on force-building budgets of the countries of the world. If there is this kind of influence, it is also expressed in U.S. arms sales.