Amid growing global instability, foreign nations are increasingly turning to the United States for their defense needs, leading to an unprecedented surge in weapons sales facilitated by the U.S. Air Force. According to officials, sales handled by the Air Force’s Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate (AFSAC) reached a historic $46.2 billion in fiscal year 2024, a significant jump from $28.7 billion in 2023.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Geraghty, director of the Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, attributed this spike to the heightened sense of global insecurity, notably triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Business has been booming,” Geraghty remarked, highlighting how partner nations are recognizing the renewed dangers in the world and seeking to bolster their defenses with U.S.-made weapons.
A significant portion of these sales comes from recent high-profile deals involving F-35 and F-16 fighter jets. Earlier this year, the U.S. approved the sale of 40 F-16s to Turkey and up to 40 F-35s to Greece. However, the deal with Turkey was fraught with controversy, as the U.S. initially withheld the F-16 sale until Turkey agreed to Sweden’s NATO membership. Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 program, following its purchase of Russian air defense systems, further complicated its relationship with the U.S.
One of the key advantages of purchasing American-made weapons, as highlighted by Geraghty, is the “enduring relationship” and logistical support that accompanies these sales—a benefit not typically offered by competitors like China or Russia. Geraghty pointed out that countries often realize the value of this long-term support after experiencing issues with non-allied suppliers, where cheaper deals often result in unreliable equipment that deteriorates over time.
Despite the rising demand, AFSAC has made strides in accelerating the traditionally slow foreign military sales process. Deputy Director Shawn Lyman noted that improvements have been made in areas such as “requirements definition” and “case development and writing,” thanks to a series of efficiency measures introduced by the Pentagon last year.
As the world grows increasingly volatile, the U.S. Air Force’s role in facilitating these vital defense partnerships has never been more crucial, with nations around the globe placing their trust in American military technology to secure their futures.
