Cambodia

Total personnel:

124,300 active; 67,000 paramilitary

Defense budget FY2014:

$447 million ↑13.7%

Ships:

15 patrol and coastal; 1 landing craft

Aircraft:

5 combat capable; 10 transport; 5 training.

15 helicopters

Mil-mil:

Angkor Sentinel | CARAT naval | Pacific Partnership

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$241.2 million ↑310%

Total trade:

Total trade: $2.8 billion ↑94%

Summary:

Military considered top-heavy with officers by some analysts. Low on the list of strategic and economic priorities, but U.S. maintains relations through small-to-medium scale exercises.

Brunei

Total personnel:

7,000 active, 700 reserve, 2,250 paramilitary reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$579 million ↑39%

Ships:

11 patrol and coastal; 4 amphibious/landing craft

Aircraft:

5 maritime patrol; 23 helicopters

Other:

Surface-to-air, air defense missiles

Mil-Mil:

RIMPAC, CARAT naval exercises

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$558 million ↑1,066%

Total trade:

$576 billion ↑26.85%

Summary:

Brunei increased its defense budget by 39 percent in 2014 in a modernization effort. Maintains territorial conflict over islands with China in South China Sea. U.S. exports up more than tenfold in past 10 years. China rapidly increasing purchases of Brunei’s oil since 2008.

China

Total personnel:

2.29 million active, 2.3 million reserve. Reserves, armed police force and militia can all be activated by People’s Liberation Army.

Defense budget FY2014:

$132 billion (U.S. questions transparency of official figure) ↑13.8%

Ships:

Submarines (70): 5 nuclear ballistic, 5 nuclear fast-attack, 60 diesel attack submarine. Surface (~70): 1 aircraft carrier, 15+ destroyers, 54 frigates; additionally, 216+ coastal patrol, 53 mine warfare, 3 principal amphibious, hundreds of support ship.

Aircraft:

~2,500 combat capable. Additionally, unmanned aircraft program; 475 non-combat transport; 1,450 older auxiliary training aircraft; 100 surveillance

Other:

Advanced missile program, including anti-ship and long-range ballistic; nuclear weapons arsenal; space program w/estimated 59 satellites; extensive cyberdefense activity

Mil-mil:

Gallery: RIMPAC underway in Pacific | Australia joins historic multi-lateral exercise | Multi-lateral exercise | Gulf of Aden counter-piracy exercise | Disaster Management Exchange and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief Field Exchange in China

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$121.7 billion ↑254%

*Hong Kong and Macau are part of China, but treated separately for US trade data.

Total trade:

$562 billion ↑143%

Summary:

Numbers do not tell the whole military story. Several platforms (for example, 20 of its Ming-class submarines, aging MiG fighters) are outdated. China’s military is still several years away from operating globally in a U.S.-style manner. Nevertheless, no country’s military has modernized more rapidly in the past decade, and Chinese defense spending now ranks second in the world, distantly behind the United States. Its asset figures may not grow much in the next few years, but the newer equipment it replaces will be far more capable. A missile program and other strategies designed to prevent access to international waters near China concern the U.S. Navy. China’s territorial/maritime conflicts with Taiwan (which it claims entirely), Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and India are a significant source of regional tension. Most of the listed countries have tightened their military relationships with the U.S. in the past five years. About a third of world oil imports, and 84 percent of China’s, transit into the South China Sea, where most of Asia-Pacific’s territorial conflicts are in play.

Indonesia

Total personnel:

395,000 active, 281,000 paramilitary

Defense budget FY2014:

$7.2 billion ↑2.9%

Ships:

2 diesel-electric submarines; 11 frigates; 72 coastal patrol; 11 mine warfare; 5 amphibious landing docks; 32 logistics and support

Aircraft:

78 combat capable; maritime patrol squadrons, transport

Mil-mil:

Exercises include Garuda Shield, Gema Bhakti | Pacific Partnership | Pitch Black | Komodo | Counterterrorism exercises | CARAT naval exercise

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$9.1 billion ↑241%

Total trade:

$28 billion ↑108%

Summary:

Once focused entirely on counterterrorism, the strategic relationship shows signs of broadening in exercises and officer exchanges. Indonesia spending more on Navy and Air Force in recent years. Territorial dispute over maritime border with China, but Indonesian leadership plays it down in public.

North Korea

Total personnel:

1.2 million active, 600,000 reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

Unknown

Ships:

72 diesel-electric submarines; 3 frigates; 382 patrol/coastal; 24 mine warfare; 10 amphibious landing ships

Aircraft:

603 combat capable

Other:

Active service compulsory; part-time service compulsory until age 40; nuclear weapons, space programs; electronic/cyberdefense programs

Mil-mil:

None

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$6.6 million ↓72%

Total trade:

$6.6 million ↓74%

Summary:

The 4th largest armed force is also the least transparent, making figures educated guesses gathered by satellite and government sources. Equipment state considered poor and training, readiness questionable outside elite units. Pyongyang’s unpredictability and its missile program make it an enduring concern. There are signs that its relationship with China is strained, as evidenced by recent press statements and a decision by China’s premier to visit South Korea first. Limited U.S. trade with North Korea does exist, but under restriction.

South Korea

Total personnel:

655,000 active, 4.5 million reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$31.9 billion ↑3.5%

Ships:

23 submarines; 3 cruisers, 6 destroyers, 13 frigates, 110 coastal, 10 mine warfare, 1 principal amphibious

Aircraft:

584 combat capable; primarily U.S.-made fighters, transport, helicopters, surveillance aircraft

Other:

Citizens subject to 26-month conscription, reserve obligation until age 33; cyberdefense command created in 2010

Mil-mil:

About 28,500 U.S. servicemembers are stationed in country as a legacy of the Korean War, which has never formally ended. Exercises include: Key Resolve/Foal Eagle | RIMPAC | Ulchi Freedom Guardian | Max Thunder | Freedom Banner | Ssang Yong

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$42 billion ↑59%

Total trade:

$104 billion ↑44%

Summary:

South Korea’s force is smaller but its equipment is more modern than North Korea’s forces. The U.S. would like South Korea to form a trilateral defense relationship, inclusive of Japan; however, arguments over history have made Japan’s current government deeply unpopular and spoiled chances of any such agreement happening soon. South Korea, Japan and the U.S. did agree this year to share intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile program.

Laos

Total personnel:

29,100 active

Defense budget FY2014:

$21.4 million

↑7.5%

Ships:

No navy

Aircraft:

12 multi-role helicopters; transport, training squadrons

Other:

Conscription at age 18, minimum 18 months.

Mil-mil:

Low-level training, demining and humanitarian assistance projects. U.S. Army Pacific’s commanding general visited Laos in 2013, the first high-level visit since 2007. Observer at U.S.-Thai Cobra Gold 2014 exercise.

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

N/A

Total trade:

N/A

Summary:

Not a significant strategic priority for the United States. Laos maintains strong ties to the Vietnamese military. Poppy and opium cultivation a transnational concern

Malaysia

Total personnel:

109,000 active, 51,600 reserve

Ships:

2 diesel-electric submarines; 10 frigates, 37 coastal, 4 mine warfare, 115 landing craft, 16 logistics

Defense budget FY2014:

$31.9 billion ↑3.5%

Aircraft:

67 combat capable

Mil-mil:

Exercises include: Kerris Strike | CARAT | RIMPAC | Pacific Partnership | Cope Taufan

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$13 billion ↑20%

Total trade:

$40 billion ↑3.3%

Summary:

Malaysia’s forces suffered international criticism for their inability to track Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. The government has discussed purchasing new aircraft and marine equipment to address the deficiency, but must do so in an austere budget environment. The relationship with the U.S. revolved around anti-piracy and counterterrorism, especially near the Malacca Straits and the eastern state of Sabah, where Muslim extremists from the Southern Philippines have kidnapped and ransomed civilians to fund their operations.

Mongolia

Total personnel:

10,000 active, 7,200 paramilitary

Defense budget FY2014:

$102 million (2013) ↑16.7%

Ships:

No navy (landlocked)

Aircraft:

1 attack/transport helicopter squadron, 3 transport aircraft

Mil-mil:

Khaan Quest | Pacific Defender

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$146 million ↑1,146%

Total trade:

$178 million ↑1,402%

Summary:

Small and underequipped military, but plays host to one of the largest annual, multinational peacekeeping exercises in Khan Quest. Mongolia’s mineral wealth is highly valued by global firms, but China trade routes dominate.

Myanmar

Total personnel:

406,000 active, 107,250 paramilitary

Defense budget FY2014:

$2.4 billion ↑14%

Ships:

4 frigates, 114 coastal boats

Aircraft:

156 combat capable; 89 fighters; 7 attack helicopters, 20 multi-role helicopters

Mil-mil:

Observer status, U.S.-Thai Cobra Gold exercise; U.S. ship tours; defense secretary talks

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$146 million ↑1,146%

Total trade:

$178 million ↑1,402%

Summary:

The Obama administration favors a deepening military relationship, although Congress remains divided on whether engagement will curb Myanmar’s alleged human rights abuses. Myanmar has made strides toward democracy, but the military still dominates its government. It spends the highest percentage of its total budget on defense in Southeast Asia. Most troops are conscripts. The military faces some of the world’s longest running insurgencies, conducted by multiple minority groups. Trade is rising quickly as U.S. sanctions ease.

New Zealand

Total personnel:

8,550 active, 2,290 reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$2.68 billion ↑~7% (new government accounting method makes 2013 comparison inexact)

Ships:

2 frigates. 6 coastal, 2 landing craft, 4 logistics

Aircraft:

6 combat capable; maritime surveillance squadrons

Mil-mil:

Exercises include Alam Halfa | Southern Katipo, Pacific Partnership | RIMPAC | Phoenix Spirit | Pitch Black | Inclusion in UKUSA community | Allowing member countries to engage in multilateral exercises | Academic and officer exchanges | Cyberdefense training

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$3.2 billion ↑56%

Total trade:

$6.7 billion ↑33%

Summary:

Small but willing to travel, with deployments to Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, South Sudan and other countries. Major non-NATO ally. ANZUS military alliance requires cooperation on defense matters, but decision to bar U.S. nuclear-powered ships in the 1980s led U.S. to suspend treaty obligations. In 2013, both countries issued a statement announcing resumption of full bilateral military cooperation.

Papua New Guinea

Total personnel:

1,900 active

Ships:

4 coastal, 2 landing ships

Defense budget FY2014:

$74 million (2013) ↑11%

Aircraft:

5 light transport, 7 helicopters

Mil-mil:

Small-scale training exercises | Port visits | RIMPAC exercise observer

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend
U.S. goods and services purchased:

$167 million ↑291%

Total trade:

$296 million ↑205%

Summary:

Strongest military relationship is with Australia, which holds multiple exercises and transfers equipment. U.S., Chinese, Australian, multinational companies competing for rights to mining, natural resources.

Philippines

Total personnel:

125,000 active, 131,000 reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$74 million (2013) ↑11%

Ships:

1 frigate, 62 coastal, 6 landing ships, 15 logistics

Aircraft:

22 combat capable; 1 attack helicopter squadron

Mil-mil:

Balikatan exercise, Pacific Partnership | Phiblex | RIMPAC

Regular port visits | Humanitarian, disaster assistance | Agreement allowing U.S. forces access to Philippine bases | Officer exchanges with U.S. Pacific command

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$8.4 billion ↑18.6%

Total trade:

$17.7 billion ↑9%

Summary:

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed this year drew Manila closer to Washington than it’s been since it told the U.S. to leave its Philippine bases in the 1990s. Philippine forces have been focused on counterterrorism for decades in conjunction with U.S. Special Forces; that is changing, spurred by Chinese blockades near disputed islands. Forces are still underequipped, but the U.S. is supplying them with decommissioned ships and hardware. Close military ties due to history, thousands of Philippine-Americans and current nationals serving in the U.S. military.

Singapore

Total personnel:

72,500 active, 312,500 reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$10 billion ↑2%

Ships:

6 diesel-electric submarines; 6 frigates; 35 coastal and patrol; 4 mine warfare; 4 principal amphibious; 2 support ships.

Aircraft:

132 combat capable; 19 Apache attack helicopters; marine reconnaissance assets

Mil-mil:

Exercises include: Tiger Balm | RIMPAC | Pacific Partnership |

CARAT, Tri-Crab | Commando Sling | Cope Tiger | Littoral Combat Ship rotational basing | U.S. military use of Paya Lebar airbase

| Strategic Framework Agreement guides relationship | Often has more officers training in the U.S. than any other nation in the region | Flight training at Luke AFB, Utah; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Marana, Ariz.; and Grand Prarie, Texas

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$30.7 billion ↑58%

Total trade:

$48.5 billion ↑40%

Summary:

As in most things, Singapore punches well above its weight – its force is generally considered the best equipped military in Southeast Asia. It regularly deploys in small-scale international operations. Reliance on a draft and reservists limits capacity for sustained operations. Maintains positive relations with both China and the United States, potentially making it an important diplomatic broker in the region. Also a major market for U.S. exports.

Taiwan

Total personnel:

290,000 active, 1.66 million reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$10.5 billion ↑2%

Ships:

4 diesel-electric submarines (2 primarily for training); 4 cruisers; 22 frigates; 51 coastal; 14 mine warfare; 1 principal amphibious (278 landing craft); 13 logistics

Aircraft:

485 combat capable; 288 fighters; 128 fighter/ground attack; marine surveillance squadrons

Mil-mil:

The U.S. provides Taiwan with the majority of its weaponry and the training required to use it. Taiwan asked for access to the RIMPAC naval exercise, according to Taiwanese reports, but the U.S. did not approve.

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$25.5 billion ↑18%

Total trade:

$63.4 billion ↑13%

Summary:

Taiwan realizes it can no longer match China’s massive defense budget increases and is concentrating more on asymmetric war. Small, fast patrol craft loaded with anti-ship missiles are increasing. In March, Taiwan’s defense minister said the island could hold out for a month against a sustained attack. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 requires the U.S. to provide defensive arms and aid Taiwan in resisting force or other coercion that would jeopardize Taiwan’s security. China claims Taiwan as a province and its leaders have stated that the status quo cannot last forever. In recent years, China has focused on tying Taiwan closer through extremely generous trade agreements.

Thailand

Total personnel:

360,850 active, 200,000 reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$5.7 billion ↑1.7%

Ships:

1 aircraft carrier, 10 frigates, 80 coastal; 17 mine warfare; 1 principal amphibious; 16 support

Aircraft:

137 combat capable; 79 fighters, 12 fighter/ground attack; maritime surveillance assets

Mil-mil:

Suspended following Thai military coup. Uninvited from RIMPAC Navy exercise. 2015 U.S.-Thai Cobra Gold multinational exercise, annually one of the world’s largest, under review.

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$11.8 billion ↑85%

Total trade:

$38 billion ↑59%

Summary:

A few days before the Thai military overthrew the civilian government, the U.S. military was still trumpeting its excellent relations with its “oldest alliance in Asia.”  Thailand’s military saw big increases in funding following the 2006 coup, and it is in the process of significant technology upgrades to its air combat power. Thailand is an important hub for U.S. humanitarian aid in the region, and if a natural disaster strikes, it is likely that Washington will put aside its differences and work the Thais. Analysts view the suspension in military exchanges as a short-term issue, given the long-lasting and extensive ties prior to the coup.

East Timor

Total personnel:

1,330 active

Ships:

7 patrol boats

Defense budget FY2014:

$29.6 million ↓10%

Aircraft:

None

Mil-mil:

Rudimentary CARAT naval exercise focused on basic skills | Pacific Partnership | UN mission to South Sudan, 2 observers

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$1.4 million ↓85%

Total trade:

$1.5 million ↓84.5%

Summary:

Low U.S. strategic priority; Australian stabilization force left in 2013. Long-term plans for expanded defense force, but little progress in 2013, according to Australian Department of Defence.

United States of America

Total personnel:

1.49 million active, 843,750 reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$589 billion, $496 billion base; $93 billion contingency / Afghanistan related. Extra-budgetary operations include Department of Veterans Affairs, State Department security, Nuclear Security Administration, Justice Department cybersecurity, CIA expenditures

Aircraft:

3,650+ combat capable (Navy 1,089; Naval Reserve 73; Marines 394, Marines Reserve 27; Air Force 1,438; AF National Guard 507; AF Reserve 97; AF special ops 25; other DOD/special ops unlisted). Combat helicopters: Army, 737 attack, 356 multi-role; Navy, 237 multi-role; Marine Corps, 158 attack. Thousands more fixed wing and rotary aircraft, including unmanned, transport, logistics, training

Ships:

Submarines (72): 10 nuclear ballistic missile, 4 conventional missile, 58 fast-attack, all nuclear powered. Surface: (Navy) 10 aircraft carriers, 22 cruisers, 62 destroyers, 13 frigate/littoral combat, 55 coastal, 13 mine warfare; 2 command ships, 30 principal amphibious, 71 logistics; Naval reserve 6 frigates; Hundreds of transport, logistics, small craft and inactive ships owned by Military Sealift Command, Navy, Army.

Mil-mil:

The U.S. engages in military relationships with most nations through talks and professional exchanges; through exercises with several and arms sales to allies; tiered intelligence sharing with allies and partners.

Summary:

Remains the only military with a global reach, spends more than next 10 nations combined annually on defense. Budget cuts and fear of future cuts has fueled anxiety among some U.S. allies in Asia concerned about China’s spending increases and rapidly modernizing forces. Most Asia-Pacific nations have increased spending in past two years as a response. Part of U.S. Pacific mission is to safeguard more than $1.2 trillion annually in U.S. trade that passes through the contested South China Sea. China claims an ambiguous sovereignty to 90 percent of the sea; the U.S. and most Asia-Pacific nations dispute China’s interpretation of international maritime law.

Vietnam

Total personnel:

482,000 active, 5 million reserve

Defense budget FY2014:

$3.8 billion (2013) ↑15.1%

Ships:

2 diesel-electric submarines, 6 on order; 2 frigates; 68 coastal; 13 mine warfare; 8 landing ships; 29 logistics

Aircraft:

97 combat capable; 26 attack helicopters; 6 multi-role helicopters

Mil-mil:

Navy non-combat exercises | Pacific Partnership | Port visits

| High-level talks

Trade through 2013, 10-year trend

U.S. goods and services purchased:

$5 billion ↑356%

Total trade:

$29.7 billion ↑365%

Summary:

Capable force by regional standards with broad public support. China’s skirmishes with Vietnamese ships near the Paracel Islands, which each country claims, have inflamed public opinion against China. Vietnamese opinion of the U.S. is 76 percent favorable, according to a July 2014 Pew Research poll – leading to speculation of a closer security relationship. Vietnam’s government is attempting to balance the might of its Chinese neighbor with overtures to the United States, but is wary of moving too quickly. Analysts expect increased visits and interactions with the U.S. military, but nothing like an alliance or basing agreement. Trade with Vietnam has risen sharply in recent years as relations have warmed. U.S. oil companies have South China Sea interests near Vietnam in waters where China claims ambiguous sovereignty.