Military Balance 2023

The International Institute for Strategic Studies is an independent centre for research, information and debate on the problems of conflict, however caused, that have, or potentially have, an important military content. The staff of the Institute is international in composition and IISS work is international in its perspective and reach. The Institute is independent and stresses rigorous fact-based research with a forward-looking policy orientation that can improve wider public understanding of international security problems and influence the development of sounder public policy, and more effective business decisions in the international arena.

• Part One Capabilities, Trends and EconomicsForewordIntroductionChapter 1 Overview analysis – the Shadow of WarChapter 2 North America Regional trends infographics United States: defence policy developments, the armed forces, and economics Canada: defence policy Arms procurements and deliveries Armed forces data sectionChapter 3 Europe Regional trends infographics Key drivers for regional defence policy developments, important policy changes, and economics Features on NATO’s new posture; support to Ukraine; the FREMM frigate; and the UK’s regeneration of its maritime-patrol aircraft capability Regional defence economics Poland: defence transformation Arms procurements and deliveries Armed forces data sectionChapter 4 Russia and Eurasia Regional trends infographics Regional defence policy developments Russia: defence policy, the armed forces, including feature on the recapitalisation of Russia’s bomber inventory, and economics Arms procurements and deliveries Ukraine: responding to Russia’s invasion; Ukrainian main battle tank upgrades Armed forces data sectionChapter 5 Asia Regional trends infographics Key drivers for regional defence policy developments, important policy changes, and economics Features on regional dependence on Russian weapons; Sino-Russian collaboration; Taiwan; and defence policy developments in Australia and in Japan Regional defence economics China: defence policy, the armed forces, and defence economics Arms procurements and deliveries Armed forces data sectionChapter 6 Middle East and North Africa Regional trends infographics Key drivers for regional defence policy developments, important policy changes, and economics Regional defence economics Arms procurements and deliveries Armed forces data sectionChapter 7 Latin America and the Caribbean Regional trends infographics Key drivers for regional defence policy developments, important policy changes, and economics Arms procurements and deliveries Armed forces data sectionChapter 8 Sub-Saharan Africa Regional trends and infographics Key drivers for regional defence policy developments, important policy changes, and economics Features on the war in Tigray and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces, and defence developments in South Africa Arms procurements and deliveries Armed forces data sectionPart Two Reference Explanatory notes Principal land definitions; Principal naval definitions; Principal aviation definitions List of abbreviations for data sections International comparisons of defence expenditure and military personnel Index of country/territory abbreviations Index of countries and territories