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The Conventional Military Balance in Southeast Asia: Analytic Overview

Core Content

This document provides an analytic overview of the conventional military balance in Southeast Asia, focusing on military expenditures, manpower, and military equipment from 1987 to 2001. It is authored by Anthony H. Cordesman and sourced from the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, as well as the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

Main Points

Military Expenditures

• Constant Dollars (1997):

  • Laos: Decreased from 1992 to 1997, from 122 to 60 million USD.
  • Cambodia: Increased steadily, from 80 to 126 million USD.
  • New Zealand: Fluctuated but generally decreased, from 1040 to 766 million USD.
  • Philippines: Increased and then decreased, with a peak in 1990 at 1440 million USD.
  • Malaysia: Increased from 1820 to 2440 million USD in 1994, then slightly decreased.
  • Indonesia: Increased significantly, from 1870 to 4810 million USD.
  • Thailand: Increased and then decreased, from 2240 to 3380 million USD.
  • Singapore: Increased consistently, from 2120 to 5660 million USD.
  • Australia: Increased from 7600 to 8460 million USD.

• Current Dollars:

  • Similar trends are observed, but with inflation adjustments.
  • Australia had the highest military spending in both constant and current dollars.
  • Singapore showed a significant increase, reaching 5660 million USD in 1997.
  • Indonesia also showed a notable rise, from 1430 to 4810 million USD.

Arms Imports

• Constant Dollars:

  • Australia had the highest arms imports, reaching 925 million USD in 1997.
  • Singapore's arms imports increased from 431 to 566 million USD.
  • Indonesia's arms imports fluctuated, but generally increased, reaching 410 million USD in 1997.
  • Thailand showed a steady increase in arms imports.
  • Malaysia's arms imports fluctuated, with a peak in 1994 at 1005 million USD.

• Current Dollars:

  • Similar patterns as constant dollars, with Australia and Singapore leading in arms imports.
  • Cambodia and Laos had relatively low arms imports.

Military Manpower

• Total Active Manpower (1,000s):

  • Vietnam had the highest active manpower, with 484,000.
  • Thailand had 301,000, followed by Indonesia with 297,000.
  • Cambodia and Laos had significantly lower active manpower.
  • Australia had 50,600 active personnel.

• Regular and Reserve Manpower:

  • Vietnam and Australia had substantial regular and reserve forces.
  • Philippines had a reserve force of 131,000.
  • Malaysia had a reserve force of 49,800.

• Paramilitary Forces:

  • Cambodia and Laos had significant paramilitary forces.
  • Thailand had a paramilitary force of 5.6,000.
  • Philippines had 42,500.

Military Forces and Equipment

• Main Battle Tanks:

  • Vietnam had the most with 1315 tanks.
  • Singapore had 63 tanks.
  • Thailand had 282 tanks.

• Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs):

  • Vietnam had 920 AFVs.
  • Thailand had 460 AFVs.
  • Malaysia had 26 AFVs.
  • Philippines had 40 AFVs.

• Artillery Weapons:

  • Vietnam had the most with 2300 towed artillery pieces.
  • Thailand had 520 towed artillery pieces.
  • Indonesia had 333 towed artillery pieces.
  • Malaysia had 182 towed artillery pieces.
  • Philippines had 242 towed artillery pieces.

• Multiple Rocket Launchers (MRLs):

  • Vietnam had 710 MRLs.
  • Thailand had 28 MRLs.

• Fixed and Rotary Wing Combat Aircraft:

  • Vietnam had 189 fixed-wing combat aircraft.
  • Thailand had 153 fixed-wing combat aircraft.
  • Singapore had 136 fixed-wing combat aircraft.
  • Philippines had 47 fixed-wing combat aircraft.
  • Australia had 148 fixed-wing combat aircraft.
  • New Zealand had 42 fixed-wing combat aircraft.

• Helicopters:

  • Thailand had 104 armed helicopters.
  • Philippines had 97 armed helicopters.
  • Australia had 16 armed helicopters.
  • New Zealand had 3 armed helicopters.

• Naval Combat Ships:

  • Thailand had 68 naval combat ships.
  • Philippines had 47 naval combat ships.
  • Australia had 148 naval combat ships.
  • New Zealand had 42 naval combat ships.
  • Vietnam had 6 naval combat ships.

• Naval Manpower:

  • Vietnam had the highest naval manpower at 68,000.
  • Australia had 12,500.
  • New Zealand had 1,980.

Key Information

• The document compares military expenditures and arms imports across Southeast Asian countries, including Australia and New Zealand, over the period 1987–1997.
• Military manpower includes active, regular, reserve, and paramilitary forces.
• Military equipment data includes main battle tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery weapons, and naval combat ships.
• The data is sourced from the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the IISS, Military Balance, 2000–2001.
• The report highlights the significant military capabilities of Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore, especially in terms of equipment and manpower.
• Australia had the highest military spending and the largest naval force in the region.
• The document provides a comparative analysis of military strength in the region, which is essential for understanding the strategic balance and potential for conflict.