U.S. remains leading in arms sales to developing countries

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United States remains a leading role in arms sales to developing countries in 2006 followed by Russia and Britain as the total volume declined from 2005, according to a US congressional report released on Monday.

    The U.S. recorded 10.3 billion U.S. dollars in arms sales to developing countries last year, accounting for over 35 percent of the total sales, followed by Russia with 8.1 billion dollars and Britain with 3.1 billion dollars, said the annual report by the Congressional Research Service.

    During a four year period ending in 2006, the United States and Russia pocketed more than 56 percent of all deals, according to the report, it said.

    The report entitled Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations also said that the sales total was a drop from 31.8 billion dollars in 2005 to nearly 28.8 billion dollars, due to the fact that some countries were still trying to integrate into their arsenals new weapons systems purchased in massive deals in earlier years.

    Among buyers, Pakistan and India topped the list, with 5.1 billion dollars and 3.5 billion dollars, respectively, followed by Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, it added.

    From 2002 to 2006, more than 70 percent of all U.S. deals were with the Middle East.

    When combining totals for arms sales to developed and developing nations, the ranking of world arms dealers remained the same. The United States led with 16.9 billion dollars, followed by Russia with 8.7 billion dollars and Britain with 3.1 billion dollars.