Arms for the poor

"Military weapons sales worldwide jumped last year to the highest level since 2000, driven by arms deals with developing nations.... The US dominated, signing deals worth $US12.4 billion in 2004 - 33.5 per cent of the value of all deals worldwide but down from $US15.1 billion in 2003. The share of US arms contracts with developing nations was $6.9 billion in 2004, or 31.6 per cent of all such deals, up slightly from 2003's $US6.5 billion." http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/up-in-arms-india-helps-drive-global-weapons-trade-to-50-billion/2005/08/30/1125302565973.html