Washington  - The United States not only increased its arms sales by nearly 50 per cent last year but its share of world weapons sales also rose to more than two-thirds despite the global economic downturn, a newspaper reported Monday.

The country expanded its ranking as the top weapons supplier with sales of 37.8 billion dollars last year, or 68 per cent of the world total, up from 25.4 billion dollars in 2007, said The New York Times, citing a report from the Congressional Research Service, considered the US Congress' "think tank."

The increases were seen despite a 7.6-per-cent drop in global arms sales to 55.2 billion dollars.

US sales rose from major new orders from the Mideast and Asia and contracts with existing customers for equipment and support services, the agency's report said.

Ranked second in global arms sales was Italy with 3.7 billion dollars, followed by Russia in third with 3.5 billion dollars. Russia saw a considerable drop from the 10.8 billion dollars in weapons it sold in 2007, the report said.

The United States also took the top spot in arms sales to developing nations, making 29.6 billion dollars, or 70 per cent, of such sales.

The top buyers among developing nations last year were the United Arab Emirates with purchases of 9.7 billion dollars, followed by Saudi Arabia at 8.7 billion and Morocco with 5.4 billion, the report said. (dpa)