Routledge The Military Balance 2026 - Armed Forces Assessment

The Military Balance 2026 is the latest edition of the authoritative annual reference, published continuously since 1959, offering comprehensive open-source analysis of armed forces and equipment inventories across over 170 countries. This edition combines detailed country-by-country defence data with accompanying defence economics information, providing researchers, policymakers and defence analysts with current intelligence on global military capabilities. The 2026 edition addresses critical defence issues by region, including Europe's response to capability gaps, China's advanced weapons and nuclear platform investments, and United States defence developments. Enhanced with graphics illustrating defence personnel, equipment and procurement trends, this reference serves as an essential tool for understanding contemporary global security dynamics and military modernisation efforts across nations.