In 2020, the US sent $11.6 billion in military aid to 157 different countries, according to United States Agency for International Development and State Department data.[1] The contributions amounted to less than 2% of the $683 billion spent that year on national defense. It was the lowest amount the US gave in military aid since 2004.
Along with economic assistance, military aid is one of the two primary categories of foreign aid spending. In 2020, the US spent $51.1 billion in foreign aid, which makes up 1% of the federal budget. Military aid accounted for 23% of foreign aid spending in 2020.
Examples of military aid include funds for training or paying a country’s military, as well as sending weapons, vehicles, and other military equipment.
