New threats to global security are forcing a rethinking of military concepts, structures and technologies around the world. The IISS Defence Analysis Programme captures and analyses these changes through the work of the IISS Defence Analysis Department and through targeted research projects. The programme analyses military and security capabilities of nations; reform and modernisation of armed forces; developments and trends in armed conflict; the impact of new technologies; defence spending; and the defence industrial base.
The programme is co-ordinated by Alex Nicoll, Director of Defence Analysis and Publications; Senior Fellow for Defence Industry and Procurement. It incorporates the work of the Defence Analysis Department, which produces the essential reference works The Military Balance and the Armed Conflict Database. The department is headed by James Hackett, Editor of The Military Balance.
An important project within this programme is a study of European capabilities, assessing the defence and security objectives of European nations and considering how new structures and technologies will enable them to meet their goals. This is set against the background of changing threats which are facilitated by globalisation, heavy demand for military deployments by European countries, but an uncertain outlook for defence spending and the European industrial base.
