By Kim Young-jin
South Korea was one of the largest buyers of American defense goods on a government-to-government level last year, the United States said Saturday.
The country purchased $462 million worth of defense products in 2009 through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, becoming Washington’s seventh-biggest client, according to the Pentagon’s Annual Military Assistance Report.
The amount fell sharply from the $798 million spent in 2008, a decline the Pentagon attributes to the purchase of two Aegis weapons systems that year worth a combined $300 million.
The amount is expected to jump significantly this year, however, as Seoul has conducted additional naval drills to deter provocations from North Korea, which it blames for sinking one of its warships in March.
Last month, South Korea held large-scale joint naval exercises in the East Sea with the United States as a response to the sinking of the Cheonan, which killed 46 sailors. The maneuvers were followed by independent exercises in the West Sea.
The two allies are slated to hold further anti-submarine drills next month.
Saudi Arabia topped the buyers list with $1.67 billion in purchases from the U.S., followed by Greece at $1.29 billion.
Israel came in third at $771 million, followed by Britain ($671 million), Egypt ($659 million) and Canada ($530 million).
U.S. Congress last year approved legislation granting South Korea preferential treatment under the FMS program, citing the need to enhance weapons compatibility between the South Korean military and the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed here as a deterrent against North Korea.
The move provided Seoul with the same FMS status as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Japan, Australia and New Zealand regarding the FMS. Under the deal, Congress is required to review proposed arms sales worth more than $25 million to South Korea within 15 days.
Without the legislation, the U.S. government would have to get permission from Congress for the sale of defense goods worth more than $14 million within a month.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak met with then U.S. President George W. Bush in April 2009 to agree on the upgrade in weapons-buying status.