You Cannot Buy an Arleigh Burke Destroyer as a Private Citizen

An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is a U.S. Navy warship that costs between $1.8 billion and $2.4 billion to build, depending on the specific variant and year of construction. The U.S. government does not sell active warships to private individuals or companies under any circumstances. If you are a U.S. citizen or resident, there is no legal pathway to purchase one.

The only way a destroyer of this type changes hands is through official government-to-government military aid or foreign military sales (FMS) agreements, which are negotiated between the U.S. State Department and another nation's government. Even then, the U.S. rarely sells active Arleigh Burke destroyers; it is far more common to transfer older decommissioned vessels through the Navy's Foreign Military Sales program or to donate them to allied nations.

If you are researching this topic because you are interested in naval vessels, military history, or the defense industry, the sections below explain how these ships actually move between owners and what the real purchase process looks like.

Key Takeaways

  • Private citizens cannot purchase active U.S. Navy warships; only foreign governments can through official State Department channels.
  • The U.S. occasionally transfers decommissioned destroyers to allied nations through Foreign Military Sales agreements negotiated at the government level.
  • An Arleigh Burke destroyer costs $1.8 billion to $2.4 billion new, making it one of the most expensive warships in the world.
  • If you are interested in purchasing surplus military vessels, civilian auctions focus on smaller decommissioned ships, not active combat vessels.
  • Foreign governments interested in acquiring U.S. warships must go through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which requires congressional approval for major sales.

How Foreign Governments Purchase U.S. Warships

When another country wants to buy a U.S. warship, the process begins with a formal request to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense. The DSCA evaluates whether the sale serves U.S. foreign policy interests and whether the purchasing country meets security and political criteria set by Congress.

For major weapons systems like destroyers, Congress must be notified and given a window to object. The sale does not proceed until this congressional review period closes without a blocking vote. The entire process typically takes months to years, depending on the complexity of the agreement and any political objections.

Even when a sale is approved, the U.S. rarely transfers active, newly built destroyers. Instead, it may offer older vessels that have been decommissioned, refurbished, and certified for transfer. This is less common with Arleigh Burke destroyers specifically, because they are relatively new and the U.S. Navy operates them actively. More often, the U.S. offers older destroyer classes or smaller combat vessels to allied nations.

The Real Cost of an Arleigh Burke Destroyer

A single Arleigh Burke-class destroyer costs between $1.8 billion and $2.4 billion to construct, depending on the variant. This price includes the hull, combat systems, radar, weapons, engines, and crew accommodations. The cost has risen over time as newer variants incorporate more advanced technology.

This figure does not include the cost of crew training, spare parts, maintenance facilities, or the infrastructure needed to operate the ship. A country purchasing a destroyer must also budget for decades of operating costs, which can exceed the purchase price over the ship's 30-year service life. Annual operating costs for a destroyer typically run $50 million to $100 million, depending on how often it is deployed.

For comparison, the entire defense budget of many smaller nations is less than the cost of a single destroyer. This is why only wealthy, technologically advanced countries with significant naval ambitions pursue these vessels.

What Happens When the U.S. Navy Decommissions a Destroyer

When an Arleigh Burke destroyer reaches the end of its service life with the U.S. Navy, it does not go to auction. The Navy first offers it to other U.S. government agencies or to allied nations through official channels. If no government wants it, the ship is either scrapped or sunk as an artificial reef.

The scrapping process is handled by specialized shipbreaking companies under strict environmental regulations. These companies disassemble the vessel, recover valuable metals, and dispose of hazardous materials like asbestos and fuel residue. The entire process can take several years and costs millions of dollars.

Civilian auctions of military vessels do exist, but they involve much smaller ships—tugboats, landing craft, or patrol vessels—not major combat warships. The government retains strict control over the sale of any vessel with significant military capability to prevent weapons from reaching hostile actors or criminal organizations.

Why the U.S. Restricts Warship Sales

U.S. law prohibits the sale of active warships to private parties because these vessels are classified as military equipment and national security assets. A destroyer carries weapons systems, advanced radar, and classified technology that could be reverse-engineered or sold to hostile nations if it fell into private hands.

The Arms Trade Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) govern the export of military equipment, including warships. These laws require that any transfer of a major weapons system be approved by the State Department and Congress, and that the receiving party be a foreign government, not a private entity.

Even foreign governments face restrictions. The U.S. will not sell advanced warships to countries it considers unstable, hostile to U.S. interests, or likely to use the vessel for aggression against neighbors. Sales are typically limited to NATO allies, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and a few other long-standing partners.

Alternatives If You Are Interested in Military Vessels

If you are interested in owning a military vessel but cannot purchase an active destroyer, there are legal alternatives. The General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) periodically auction decommissioned military ships, though these are typically smaller vessels like patrol boats, landing craft, or support ships.

These auctions are open to the public and listed on the GSA website under "Excess Property Sales." Prices vary widely depending on the vessel's condition, size, and remaining useful life. A decommissioned patrol boat might sell for $50,000 to $500,000, while a larger support ship could reach several million dollars.

Another option is to purchase a civilian ship and retrofit it with non-military equipment. Many former military vessels are sold to private shipping companies, fishing fleets, or research organizations after decommissioning. These sales happen through private brokers and maritime auction houses, not government channels.

How to Research Military Vessel Transfers

If you want to track which countries are receiving U.S. military vessels or to understand the process better, several public sources provide this information. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency publishes a list of all approved Foreign Military Sales on its website, including the type of equipment, the purchasing country, and the estimated value.

The Congressional Research Service also publishes reports on major arms sales and military aid to foreign countries. These reports are free and available through Congress.gov. They provide context on why the U.S. approved a particular sale and what strategic interests it serves.

The Navy's official website lists all active Arleigh Burke destroyers in service, including their hull numbers, commissioning dates, and homeports. If you are interested in the technical specifications of these ships, the Navy publishes fact sheets and historical information for each vessel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a decommissioned Arleigh Burke destroyer?

No. Even decommissioned Arleigh Burke destroyers are not sold to private citizens. The U.S. Navy may transfer them to allied foreign governments through official military aid channels, or they are scrapped. The government does not auction combat warships to private buyers because of national security concerns.

What if I represent a foreign government interested in buying a U.S. destroyer?

Contact the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) through your country's embassy in Washington, D.C. The DSCA handles all Foreign Military Sales requests. Your government will need to submit a formal request, and the U.S. State Department and Congress will evaluate whether the sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy. The process takes months to years.

Are there any military ships I can actually purchase?

Yes, but they are smaller vessels. The General Services Administration auctions decommissioned military ships including patrol boats, landing craft, and support vessels. These are listed on GSA.gov under excess property sales. Prices range from tens of thousands to several million dollars depending on the vessel.

What is the cheapest way to own a military-style vessel?

Buy a decommissioned civilian ship that was formerly used by the military, or purchase a civilian vessel and retrofit it yourself. These are sold through private maritime brokers and auction houses, not government channels. Costs vary widely based on the ship's size, age, and condition.

Why does the U.S. restrict the sale of warships to private buyers?

Warships contain classified military technology, advanced weapons systems, and sensitive radar equipment. Selling them to private parties would create national security risks, including the possibility of the technology being stolen, reverse-engineered, or sold to hostile nations. U.S. law treats warship sales as military equipment transfers, not commercial transactions.