---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 961"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "961"
heading: "Strengthening armed vessel of foreign nation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/961"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 45 — Foreign Relations"
---

# §961. Strengthening armed vessel of foreign nation


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), within the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), increases or augments the force of any ship of war, cruiser, or other armed vessel which, at the time of her arrival within the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), was a ship of war, or cruiser, or armed vessel, in the service of any foreign prince or [state](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), or of any colony, district, or people, or belonging to the subjects or citizens of any such prince or [state](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), colony, district, or people, the same being at war with any foreign prince or [state](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9), or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) is at peace, by adding to the number of the guns of such vessel, or by changing those on board of her for guns of a larger caliber, or by adding thereto any equipment solely applicable to war, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 24 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 12, 35 Stat. 1090).

Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title.

Mandatory punishment was rephrased in the alternative.

Words “within the United States” were substituted for “within the territory or jurisdiction” etc., in view of the definition of United States in section 5 of this title.

Minor changes in phraseology were made.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.