This, the third edition of The Almanac of World Military Power, is built on the framework established by the authors and editors of the first and second editions, whose contributions have been described in the Prefaces to those editions. While the framework, like the geographical features of the world, remains unchanged, there have been many changes in political features, in strategic situations, in statistical data, and in types of military equipment since t he first edition was produced in 1970. As many as possible of these changes have been reflected in this edition.

In the preparation of this edition comments and information were requested from defense ministries of many nations, and the editors appreciate greatly the considerable useful material received from these sources, either directly or through their attaches in Washington. Many points were cleared up in conversations with various US Government officials. But the bulk of the data has been taken from open, unclassified sources, including standard reference works, periodicals and daily newspapers. A list of the chief sources used is at the end of this volume.

For each nation three principal sets of data are presented: (1) statistics related to power potential, (2) general politico-military-strategic situations, and (3) inventories of armed forces strength, organization and equipment. The figures in all cases are the most recent ones available in mid 1974. The majority of them represent the end of year figures for 1973; some are earlier, some later, but an effort has been made to prepare as current a compilation as possible. When conflicting figures have been encountered official US Government figures have been used when available.

The Glossary for this edition has been considerably revised and expanded, to include all weapons in current arsenals as well as military terms for which a definition may be useful. Some items no longer in use have been dropped.

The editors have received valuable help from three other members of the staff of T.N. Dupuy Associates. Col. Angus M. Fraser, USMC, Ret., updated the sections on Central and East Asia, South and Southeast Asia, and South and Southwest Pacific; Gay M. Hammerman updated the sections on North America and Africa; and Paul Martell updated the sections on Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Updating of the other sections, revision of statistical information throughout, and editing have been a joint effort of the three co-editors who jointly assume full responsibility for the contents of this book.

John A.C. Andrews
T.N. Dupuy
Grace P. Hayes
Dunn Loring, Va.
August 1974