Procurement: December 16, 2002

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Over half a century (1950-2000), the United States gave away $6.4 billion in surplus military equipment (including weapons and munitions) to allied nations. The five nations receiving the largest amount of this stuff (63 percent of the total) has been; South Vietnam ($1.1 billion), Taiwan ($941 million), Turkey ($854 million), South Korea ($664 million) and Greece ($451 million.) This equipment was valued at it's purchase cost. Since most of this stuff was second hand, it's actual market value was a lot less (a third or less of cost.) But for the troops receiving this stuff, it was a step up, as even more ancient equipment was being replaced.