Since its adoption in the 1990s, the National Defense Authorization Act has allowed police departments across the country to procure billions of dollars worth of surplus military equipment. Even though the NDAA prohibits the transfer of vehicles that inherently contain weaponry, such as Bradley fighting vehicles or armed drones, it is often blamed for the increasing militarization of American law enforcement.
Such criticisms are not unfounded, as many police departments have acquired small arms and armored vehicles through the program. However, the vast majority of equipment obtained under the NDAA are non-lethal items that would otherwise go to the general public, such as office equipment, cameras, and first aid kits. (Here is a look at the most militarized local police departments in America.)
In the past 33 years, the Department of Defense has distributed over $7 billion-worth of excess equipment to law enforcement agencies. That value is driven in large part by a relatively small segment of vehicles, aircraft, and high-tech equipment.
Using data from the Defense Logistics Agency of the DOD, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most expensive military equipment obtained by police departments. Only items shipped to law enforcement between 2010 and the first quarter of 2023 were considered. Items are ranked on the upper limit of their value, which ranges from nearly $600,000 to $22 million. It is important to note that costs associated with these acquisitions reflect the original price paid by the military. Law enforcement agencies are only responsible for costs associated with shipping, maintenance, and storage.
The most expensive military equipment used by law enforcement include training simulators, various aircraft, infrared and x-ray imaging equipment, as well as armored vehicles. While these implements were initially designed for military use, they have all been deemed to have practical applications in law enforcement.
Many of the equipment on this list, such as unmanned ground vehicles, armored vehicles, and infrared imaging systems, help reduce the likelihood of serious injury or death to law enforcement officers in dangerous situations. Others, like training simulators and various aircraft, can help improve a department’s effectiveness. (Here is a look at the states spending the most on police per person.)
Click here to see the most expensive military equipment police departments are buying.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that law enforcement agencies purchase the military equipment on this list. In actuality, law enforcement agencies are only responsible for costs related to shipping, maintenance, and storage.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
21. Armored mine disposal car
> Value: $460,000 – $585,453
> Most expensive unit acquired by: White County, AR Sheriff’s Dept. in April 2019
> Description/practical application: Escorting police and/or civilians to and from dangerous situations
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Source: Courtesy of Frankfort Police Department and Emergency 911 via Facebook
20. Unmanned Ground Vehicle
> Value: $592,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Frankfort, KY Police Department in August 2022
> Description/practical application: Intervention in potentially deadly situations
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Source: Courtesy of Apache County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
19. Power distribution system
> Value: $600,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Apache County, AZ Sheriff’S Office in July 2011
> Description/practical application: Telecommunications equipment
Source: Courtesy of Bryan County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
18. Forward looking infrared imaging system
> Value: $3,779 – $689,078
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Bryan County, OK Sheriff’s Office in December 2013
> Description/practical application: Detecting body heat in low visibility situations for surveillance, fugitive searches, or search and rescue operations – also for identifying hidden compartments and potential hazards that threaten officer safety
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Source: Courtesy of Austin Police Department via Facebook
17. Flight trainer helicopter
> Value: $833,400
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Austin, TX Police Dept. and 18 others in June 2015 – March 2017
> Description/practical application: Training flying personnel in helicopter operations
Source: Courtesy of Mt. Orab Police Department via Facebook
16. Special Operations Media System & Mobile Radio Broadcasting Subsystem (SOMS,B,MRBS,V1)
> Value: $850,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Mount Orab. OH Police Dept. in October 2015
> Description/practical application: Police communication equipment
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Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Aircraft gas turbines and jet engines
> Value: $914,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Santa Barbara County, CA Sheriff’s Office in July 2014
> Description/practical application: Propulsion Components for airborne police units
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Source: Courtesy of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department via Facebook
14. Utility helicopter
> Value: $916,406 – $922,704
> Most expensive unit acquired by: San Bernardino County, CA Sheriff and 26 others in April 2010 – December 2016
> Description/practical application: Observation of pursuits, suspects, crowds and rapid deployment of specialist teams
13. Medevac helicopter
> Value: $948,158
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Pinal County, AZ Sheriff’s Office and 3 others in October & November 2016
> Description/practical application: Evacuation of personnel in need of medical treatment
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Source: Courtesy of Rockingham County Sheriff's Office - VA via Facebook
12. Tactical air navigation system set
> Value: $950,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Rockingham County Sheriff’s Dept. in September 2013
> Description/practical application: Flight navigation equipment
Source: Courtesy of Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
11. Office storage maintenance trailer
> Value: $950,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Grand Forks County, ND Sheriff’s Office in December 2020
> Description/practical application: 48×8.5 ft. semi-trailer
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Source: Courtesy of Patterson Georgia Police Department via Facebook
10. Reconfigurable semi-trailer vehicle simulator
> Value: $950,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Patterson, GA P.D. in February 2020
> Description/practical application: Training simulations
Source: kali9 / E+ via Getty Images
9. ZBV Military Trailer
> Value: $1,060,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: SC Law Enforcement Division in March 2015
> Description/practical application: Vehicle screening X-ray trailer, typically used to search for weapons and contraband
Source: Courtesy of City of Guntersville, Alabama via Facebook
8. HITS communication network
> Value: $1,189,009
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Guntersville, AL Police Dept in December 2015
> Description/practical application: Unspecified
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
7. Mine resistant vehicle
> Value: $300,000 – $1,309,299
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Payne County, OK Sheriff’s Office in October 2013
> Description/practical application: Escorting police and/or civilians to and from dangerous situations
Source: Courtesy of Albertville Detective Division via Facebook
6. Electrical Test Facility
> Value: $1,400,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Albertville, AL Police Dept. in July 2012
> Description/practical application: Measuring and testing control instruments
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Source: Courtesy of FDLE via Facebook
5. Multi-mode imaging system
> Value: $1,445,819 – $1,445,819
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Dept of Law Enf. Tallahassee, FL in October 2019
> Description/practical application: Unspecified
Source: Courtesy of Fulton County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
4. Semi-trailer maintenance operations center
> Value: $1,542,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Fulton County, GA Sheriff’s Dept. in March 2022
> Description/practical application: Training equipment for field simulations
Source: Courtesy of Pinal County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
3. Containerized maintenance facility
> Value: $1,840,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Pinal County, AZ Sheriff’s Office in August 2020
> Description/practical application: A containerized maintenance facility system for watercraft
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Source: Courtesy of FDLE via Facebook
2. Cargo-transport airplane
> Value: $800,865 – $17,000,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: Dept of Law Enf. Tallahassee, FL in December 2015
> Description/practical application: Transporting personnel or equipment
1. Fixed wing aircraft
> Value: $9,000 – $22,000,000
> Most expensive unit acquired by: California Highway Patrol in June 2016
> Description/practical application: Search and rescue operations, traffic enforcement, administrative transport
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