Major Arms Sales (via FMS) Notification Tracker
With State Department blessing, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notifies Congress of major arms sales under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, starting a clock (typically 30 days) during which Congress can block a sale by passing a resolution to do so in both the House and Senate. While certain terms of agreements may change and deliveries (if any) take years to complete, these notifications serve as important public moments to understand and debate, where appropriate, future U.S. arms transfers (equipment and services).*
View downloadable spreadsheet (google doc) with individual sale details from 2013 to today, and summary information back to 1997.
2020 Notifications
* State Department has indicated that the Philippines is considering only one of the two notified helicopter options, but for accounting purposes, this tracker counts both.
** Finland has indicated that is considering only one of the two notified fighter aircraft options, but for accounting purposes, this tracker counts both. *** The Swiss public narrowly voted in favor of a referendum that could provide enough funding for only one of the two notified fighter attack options, but for accounting purpose, this tracker counts both. View downloadable spreadsheet (google doc). Last updated Dec. 1, 2020.
For additional resources, see Security Assistance Monitor fact sheet, which includes direct commercial sales (DCS). 2018 NotificationsHistorical (1997-2017)Annual amounts rounded to nearest billion ($) and not adjusted for inflation. Click on amount to be taken to annual Arms Control Association factsheet (1997-2012, 2016-2017) or Forum-created Excel file (with data 2013-2018).
Expert Analysis - select notifications
2017
June - precision-guided munitions - Saudi Arabia January - first notifications 2016 August - tank sales to Saudi Arabia 
January 2017
August 2016
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2019 Notifications
2017 Notifications
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* Because Congressional leaders are informally consulted before public notification occurs, significant Congressional opposition to notified sales is very rare, although importantly did occur in 2016 regarding tanks to Saudi Arabia, and again in 2017 regarding PGMs to Saudi Arabia. Up until time of delivery, Congress or the President can block or alter a sale. (See CRS report.)
This page only looks at major arms sales notified here because these tend to be the largest and most visible of eventual U.S. arms transfers. However, U.S. arms sales and other transfers occur through a variety of programs, including some led through the Commerce Department. The Security Assistance Monitor is an excellent resource for data and information on the broad range of U.S. arms and security assistance.
This page only looks at major arms sales notified here because these tend to be the largest and most visible of eventual U.S. arms transfers. However, U.S. arms sales and other transfers occur through a variety of programs, including some led through the Commerce Department. The Security Assistance Monitor is an excellent resource for data and information on the broad range of U.S. arms and security assistance.