What a figure means
Each displayed figure is an approved claim: a value, a shared metric definition, an effective date, a source document and an editorial review. Unavailable figures are left blank. A blank never means zero.
Sources and confidence
We prefer primary publications, including official statistical releases, parliamentary reports and manufacturer documentation. A primary source is not automatically impartial or accurate. Manufacturer claims are explicitly labelled, and contested performance specifications require additional scrutiny.
- High: strong, relevant evidence with clear definitions and a current review.
- Medium: credible evidence with limitations in corroboration, definition or freshness.
- Low: estimates, incomplete evidence or uncertain operational status.
- Disputed: material disagreement that the available evidence does not resolve.
Three different dates
The effective date tells you when the figure applies. The retrieval date records when the source was accessed. The review date records the editorial decision. Reviewing an old publication does not make the underlying figure current.
Review and change history
Imports enter a pending queue. An editor checks the evidence, unit, scope and dates before approving a claim. A replacement preserves the earlier claim and its review history. Restoring an older figure requires a new review.
Publication thresholds
A country must have an approved source-backed claim for every core metric before an editor can publish it. Draft profiles remain accessible but are excluded from indexing and sitemaps. Comparison pages remain unindexed in this foundation release; wider publication requires sufficient overlapping metrics and original editorial context.
Comparison is not a prediction
Quantities alone do not establish readiness, effectiveness or conflict outcomes. Personnel definitions vary. Equipment in service may be unavailable for operations. Defence spending can use different fiscal years and coverage. We do not currently publish a composite power score.
Metric dictionary
Population · people
Total resident population; retain the source's reference year.
Review interval: 365 days. Required for initial country publication.
GDP · USD
Annual nominal GDP in current US dollars, not purchasing-power parity.
Review interval: 365 days. Required for initial country publication.
Defence spending · USD
Annual military expenditure in current US dollars. State fiscal year, coverage and conversion basis in notes.
Review interval: 180 days. Required for initial country publication.
Armed forces personnel · people
Active-duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces whose training, organisation, equipment and control allow them to support or replace regular forces. This is not an active-regular-only count.
Review interval: 180 days. Additional capability metric.
Active personnel · people
Full-time active military personnel; exclude reserves and paramilitary unless explicitly identified.
Review interval: 180 days. Required for initial country publication.
Reserve personnel · people
Reported reserve personnel, with mobilisation and training definitions stated in notes.
Review interval: 180 days. Required for initial country publication.
Combat aircraft · aircraft
In-service fixed-wing combat aircraft; exclude stored, retired and ordered aircraft. In service does not establish readiness.
Review interval: 90 days. Required for initial country publication.
Main battle tanks · vehicles
In-service main battle tanks; exclude storage and orders.
Review interval: 90 days. Additional capability metric.
Submarines · vessels
Commissioned submarines; exclude vessels on order and decommissioned vessels.
Review interval: 90 days. Additional capability metric.
Major surface combatants · vessels
Commissioned cruisers, destroyers and frigates. Exclude patrol craft and support vessels.
Review interval: 90 days. Additional capability metric.
Nuclear warheads · warheads
Warheads in the military stockpile, deployed or in reserve; exclude retired warheads awaiting dismantlement. Independent estimates, labelled as such.
Review interval: 365 days. Additional capability metric.
Transport aircraft · aircraft
In-service dedicated fixed-wing military transport aircraft; exclude trainers and orders.
Review interval: 180 days. Additional capability metric.