"We offer excess and surplus equipment on an 'as is, where is' basis, with no express or implied warranties for fitness of use, " Chamberlin said.

CNN: DOD resold non-Y2K compliant computers, medical devices

Chamberlin, deputy director of DLA, which oversees the various DRMS facilities throughout DOD, said the IG report "exaggerates" the Year 2000 risks associated with excess and surplus equipment, particularly medical equipment.

CNN: DOD resold non-Y2K compliant computers, medical devices

Mr Cundall said the practice of burying surplus military equipment was common at the end of the war.

BBC: Burma Spitfire hunters discover crate

Although China runs a large trade surplus with America, it runs deficits with other Asian countries from which it imports capital equipment and components.

ECONOMIST: China's exchange rate