United States with nearly 70 percent share of arms sales worldwide in 2008

United States accounted for more than two-thirds of arms sales worldwide last year, a survey of Congress, quoted by the New York Times. According to the U.S. study were involved in 68.4 percent of global arms sales in 2008 of U.S. arms sales rose nearly 50 percent annually to 37.8 billion dollars to 25.4 billion dollars in previous 2007 - despite the global economic recession. In this arms trade globally has decreased by 7,6 percent to 55.2 billion dollars - its lowest level since 2005. Italy, which ranks second, has sold weapons to the total amount of 3,7 billion dollars. Russia was third with sales of 3,5 billion dollars - a drastic decline in transactions compared to 10.8 billion dollars, which was concluded in 2007. The study explains the increase in U.S. sales of new large orders from customers in the Middle East and Asia, and with permanent contracts for equipment and maintenance with American customers.