About GlobalMilitary.net
Mission Statement
GlobalMilitary.net is dedicated to democratizing access to military data through the power of open-source intelligence (OSINT). In today's complex global landscape, we believe that democratizing the understanding of geopolitics is essential for an informed public. We aggregate, standardize, and visualize complex defense information to provide a clear, neutral, and comprehensive picture of global military capabilities, fostering a more transparent dialogue on international security.
What We Offer
Our platform serves as a central intelligence hub for defense enthusiasts, researchers, and analysts:
- Global Inventory Database: Detailed order-of-battle for air forces and navies worldwide, tracking specific asset counts and readiness.
- Equipment Specifications: In-depth technical data on aircraft, ships, missiles, and vehicles.
- Comparative Analytics: Tools to side-by-side compare military strength, from individual equipment specs to entire national armed forces.
- Interactive Wargaming: A retro-style simulation engine that allows users to test hypothesis-based scenarios using real-world inventory data.
The Global Military Index (GMI)
Our proprietary ranking system goes beyond simple counting. It evaluates the effective combat potential of a nation using a weighted, logarithmic algorithm designed to handle the vast disparities between global powers.
The index computes a score (0-100) based on six weighted pillars:
| Pillar | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Air Power | 25% | Weighted aircraft counts by combat role |
| Naval Power | 20% | Weighted ship counts by type and capability |
| Land Firepower | 20% | Main Battle Tanks as a proxy for ground combat intensity |
| Manpower | 15% | Weighted personnel across active, reserve, and paramilitary |
| Nuclear Capability | 10% | Strategic deterrent based on arsenal size and status |
| Economic Strength | 10% | Military budget as an indicator of sustainability |
Note: All raw metrics are log-transformed to prevent outliers from distorting the scale, ensuring a balanced and meaningful ranking.
Global Air Force Index
A standalone 0-100 scale ranking of air forces worldwide. Unlike the GMI air pillar, this index uses square-root normalization where the world's largest air force scores 100 and all others are scaled proportionally.
Formula: Index = √(Power Score / Max Power Score) × 100
Aircraft Category Weights
| Category | Weight | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Bomber | 100 | Strategic strike, nuclear capability, extremely rare |
| Combat | 50 | Core air superiority and multi-role fighters |
| Helicopter | 15 | Ground support, versatility, transport |
| Transport | 10 | Force projection and logistics |
| Other | 8 | AWACS, tankers, special mission aircraft |
| UAV | 5 | Growing strategic importance |
| Training | 1 | Limited combat value |
Global Navy Index
A standalone 0-100 scale ranking of naval forces worldwide. Uses the same square-root normalization as the Air Force Index for balanced differentiation.
Formula: Index = √(Power Score / Max Power Score) × 100
Ship Category Weights
| Category | Weight | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier | 200 | Capital ships, massive force projection |
| Cruiser | 80 | Major surface combatants |
| Destroyer | 50 | Primary escorts and multi-role platforms |
| Submarine | 45 | Strategic and tactical sea denial |
| Frigate | 30 | Medium ocean-going combatants |
| Corvette | 15 | Light combatants, coastal operations |
| Amphibious | 12 | Force delivery capability |
| Mine | 5 | Specialized mine warfare role |
| Patrol | 2 | Coastal defense duties |
| Coastal | 1 | Very limited capability |
| Support/Cargo/Other | 0 | Non-combatant vessels (excluded) |
Suggest a Change
We actively encourage our community to contribute to the accuracy and comprehensiveness of our database. If you notice any discrepancies or have suggestions for new data, please visit our Suggestion Submission Page to share your insights.
Contact
For inquiries, corrections, or data partnerships:
contact@globalmilitary.net