Tab. 1:
CFPI Release and Engagement Versatility Rubric
| Value | Release Versatility | Engagement Versatility |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Index system releases systems of release versatility 2 that in turn release the index munition, giving the index system multiple levels of release articulation and adaptiveness to target behaviour | Index system is ordinarily intended to engage systems in multiple domains and is ordinarily configured to engage those systems purpose-built to target the index system |
| 2 | Index system can manoeuvre leading up to and during index munition release allowing a larger window of adaptation to target behaviour | Index system is ordinarily intended to engage systems in multiple domains or is ordinarily configured to engage those systems purpose-built to target the index system |
| 1 | Index system must be motionless to release the index munition; the index system cannot make dynamic adaptations to target behaviour immediately leading up to or upon release of the index munition | Index system is ordinarily intended to engage systems in only one domain and is not ordinarily configured to engage those systems purpose-built to target the index system |
Tab. 2:
Weapon System Role Values
| Domain | Role | Index System | Index Munition | Normal Yield Ratio | Versatility | r-Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release | Engagement | ||||||
| Air | Air Superiority Fighter | F-16A (USA) | AIM-120 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 24 |
| Multirole Fighter | F-16 C (Blk40+) (USA) | GBU-12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 32 | |
| Ground Attack Aircraft | A-IOC(USA) | GBU-12 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 24 | |
| Air Defence (Missile) | MIM-104C (USA) | PAC-2 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 24 | |
| Land | Main Battle Tank | MIA2SEP(USA) | M830A1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Armored Fighting Vehicle | ?2A3 (USA) | M792 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Self-Propelled Cannon Artillery | M109A6 (USA) | M483A1 DPICM | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Towed Cannon Artillery | M119A1 (USA) | M915 DPICM | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Rocket Artillery | M270A1 (USA) | M26A2 DPICM | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Rotary Wing Attack | AH-64A (USA) | AGM-114N | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 | |
| Multirole Armed Rotary Wing | MH-6OA (USA) | 7.62 X 51mm NATO | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Air Defence (Gun) | ZSU-23-4 (RUS) | 23xl52B BZT | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Surface-to-Surface Missile | DF-I6(PRC) | DF-16 Conventional | 24 | 1 | 1 | 24 | |
| Naval | Aircraft Carrier (Nuclear-powered) | Nimitz-Class (USA) | AGM-l54Cvia AV-8B | 320 | 3 | 3 | 2,880 |
| Aircraft Carrier (Non-nuclear-powered) | America-Class (USA) | AGM-l54Cvia AV-8B | 108 | 3 | 3 | 972 | |
| Helicopter Carrier | Canberra-Class (AUS) | AGM-114B via MH-6OR | 12 | 3 | 3 | 108 | |
| Ship-Based Armed Rotary Wing | MH-6OS (USA) | AGM-114B | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Ship-Based Armed Fixed Wing | AV-8B(USA) | AGM-154C | 8 | 2 | 2 | 32 | |
| Ground-Based Armed Maritime Fixed Wing | P-8A (USA) | Mk-46 Mod 5 | 12 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Cruiser | Ticonderoga-Class (USA) | RGM-109E | 75 | 2 | 3 | 450 | |
| Destroyer | Arleigh Burke (fit. II) (USA) | RGM-109E | 50 | 2 | 3 | 300 | |
| Frigate | Grigorovich (RUS) | P-800 | 35 | 2 | 2 | 140 | |
| Corvette | Type O56A (PRC) | YJ-83K | 15 | 2 | 2 | 60 | |
| Missile Boat/Fast AttackCraft | Type 022 (PRC) | YJ-83K | 12 | 2 | 1 | 24 | |
| Tactical Submarine (Nuclear-powered) | Los Angeles-Class (fit. Ill) (USA) | RGM-109E | 50 | 2 | 3 | 300 | |
| Tactical Submarine (Non-nuclear-powered) | Kilo-Class (Improved) (RUS) | 53-65M | 15 | 2 | 2 | 60 | |
| Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile | YJ-100(PRC) | YJ-100 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 30 | |
Tab. 3:
WEG-CFPI Technological Tier Conversion and Coefficient Weighting
| WEG Tier | CFPI Tier | Descriptor (2005-pres.) | Descriptor (1990-2004) | G-value | Adjustments (additions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1(+)* | 4 | Cutting-edge | N/A | 6 | System introduction establishes new generation; long-range missile systems of WEG tier 1 |
| 1 | 3 | Advanced | Cutting-edge | 4 | Long-range missile systems of WEG tier 2 |
| 2 | 2 | Competitive | Advanced | 3 | Long-range missile systems of WEG tier 3; short-range missile systems of WEG tier 1; wheeled armored fighting vehicles of WEG tier 1; towed anti-aircraft systems of WEG tier 1 |
| 3 | 1 | Ageing | Competitive | 1 | Long-range missile systems of WEG tier 4; short-range missile systems of WEG tier 2; wheeled armored fighting vehicles of WEG tier 2; towed anti-aircraft systems of WEG tier 2 |
| 4 | 1 | Ageing | Ageing | 1 | Short-range missile systems of WEG tier 3; wheeled armored fighting vehicles of WEG tier 3; towed anti-aircraft systems of WEG tier 3 |
| 4(-)* | 0 | Obsolete | Obsolete | 0 | Short-range missile systems of WEG tier 4; wheeled armored fighting vehicles of WEG tier 4; towed anti-aircraft systems of WEG tier 4; systems of WEG tier 4 operated in a quantity less than 1% of their lifetime production run |
Tab. 4:
Chinese Multirole Fighters, 2023
| Platform | Quantity |
|---|---|
| J-10A/S | 313 |
| J-10B/C | 275 |
| J-11/B/BS | 297 |
| J-16 | 250 |
| Su-30M2/MKK/MKI/SM | 97 |
| Su-35/BM/S | 24 |
Tab. 5:
Russian Multirole Fighters, 2023
| Platform | Quantity |
|---|---|
| MiG-29SM | 15 |
| MiG-31BM | 107 |
| Su-27/B/C | 48 |
| Su-27ML/SM/SM3 | 71 |
| Su30M2/MKK/MKI/SM | 122 |
| Su-35/BM/S | 99 |
Tab. 6:
Multirole Fighters by CFPI Tier
| Name | Tier | Name | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adir | 4 | JAS 39C/D | 2 |
| Barak | 2 | JAS 39E | 3 |
| CF-18AM/BM | 2 | JF-17/A/B (Block 1/2) | 2 |
| Ching Kuo | 2 | JF-17A/B (Block 3) | 3 |
| EF-2000 | 2 | KF-16C/D | 2 |
| EF-2000 FGR4/T3 | 3 | MiG-29SM | 2 |
| F/A-18 A/B | 2 | MiG-29M/M2/ME | 3 |
| F/A-18 C/D | 3 | MiG-31BM | 2 |
| F-15E/I/S | 2 | Mirage 2000-5/5F | 2 |
| F-15K | 3 | Mirage 2000C/D/E | 1 |
| F-15SA | 3 | Mirage 2000H/I | 3 |
| F-16C/D Block 25/30/32 | 1 | Mirage F1/E | 1 |
| F-16C/D Block 40/42/50/52/+ | 2 | Ra’am | 3 |
| F-16V | 3 | Rafale B F3-R/C F3-R | 3 |
| F-35/A/I | 4 | Rafale/B/C/DH/DM/EH/EM (F2) | 2 |
| F-4D/E | 1 | Saegheh | 2 |
| F-4E 2020 | 2 | Su-22 | 1 |
| FA-50 | 2 | Su-22M4 | 1 |
| FC-1 | 2 | Su-27/B/C | 1 |
| FC-20 | 2 | Su-27ML/SK/SM/SM3 | 2 |
| F-CK-1A/B | 2 | Su-30/K | 2 |
| F-CK-1C/D | 3 | Su-30M2/MKK/MKI/SM | 3 |
| Gripen C/D | 2 | Su-35/BM/S | 3 |
| J-10A/S | 2 | Su-7 | 0 |
| J-10B/C | 3 | Sufa | 2 |
| J-11/B/BS | 2 | Tejas | 3 |
| J-16 | 3 | Terminator | 2 |
| J-6 | 1 | Typhoon | 2 |
| JAS 39A/B | 1 | Typhoon FGR4/T3 | 3 |
Tab. 7:
Chinese Multirole Fighter CFPI Score, 2023
| Platform | Quantity | t | G | r | CFPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-10A/S | 313 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 30,048 |
| J-10B/C | 275 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 35,200 |
| J-11/B/BS | 297 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 28,512 |
| J-16 | 250 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 32,000 |
| Su-30M2/MKK/MKI/SM | 97 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 12,416 |
| Su-35/BM/S | 24 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 3,072 |
| U am | 141,248 |
Tab. 8:
Russian Multirole Fighter CFPI Score, 2023
| Platform | Quantity | t | G | r | CFPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiG-29SM | 15 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 1,440 |
| MiG-31BM | 107 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 10,272 |
| Su-27/B/C | 48 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 1,536 |
| Su-27ML/SM/SM3 | 71 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 6,816 |
| Su30M2/MKK/MKI/SM | 122 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 15,616 |
| Su-35/BM/S | 99 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 12,672 |
| Uam | 48,352 |
Tab. 9:
Comparison of Air-focused CFPI Scores, Russia and China, 2023
| CFPI Score | ||
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Russia | China |
| Air Superiority Fighter (Uai) | 3,264 | 36,744 |
| Multirole Fighter (Uam) | 48,352 | 141,248 |
| Ground Attack Aircraft (Uag) | 57,216 | 26,304 |
| Air Defence Missile System (Uad) | 142,320 | 131,472 |
| Total (Ua) | 251,152 | 335,768 |
Fig. 1:
GFI Scores for the U.S., China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, 2023.
Source : Global Firepower Index.
Fig. 2:
CFPI Scores for the U.S., China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, 2023.
Underlying quantity source: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Tab. 10:
Comparison of Conventional Firepower Potential Indexing Scores, U.S., China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, 2023.
| System Type† | CFPI Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | China | Russia | North Korea | Iran | |
| Air Superiority Fighter | 41,040 | 36,744 | 3,264 | 7,776 | 3,840 |
| Multirole Fighter | 236,800 | 141,248 | 48,352 | 0 | 3,104 |
| Ground Attack Aircraft | 30,816 | 26,304 | 57,216 | 2,736 | 2,088 |
| Air Defence Missile System* | 86,040 | 131,472 | 142,320 | 8,880 | 12,144 |
| Air Domain Subtotal | 394,696 | 335,768 | 251,152 | 19,392 | 21,176 |
| Main Battle Tank* | 58,840 | 97,600 | 42,000 | **42,000 | 10,760 |
| Armoured Fighting Vehicle* | 336,676 | 132,680 | 56,640 | 4,824 | 5,380 |
| Self-Propelled Cannon Artillery* | 4,992 | 17,660 | 4,436 | 8,600 | 584 |
| Towed Cannon Artillery* | 5,985 | 800 | 2,090 | 2,150 | 1,840 |
| Rocket Artillery* | 5,715 | 10,500 | 3,852 | 9,435 | 828 |
| Rotary Wing Attack* | 63,040 | 19,072 | 13,488 | 0 | 800 |
| Multirole Rotary Wing* | 33,736 | 6,756 | 2,884 | 1,144 | 640 |
| Air Defence Gun System* | 0 | 1,446 | 210 | 2,750 | 572 |
| Surface-to-Surface Missile* | 5,136 | 27,000 | 12,000 | 2,664 | 11,520 |
| Land Domain Subtotal | 514,120 | 313,514 | 137,600 | 73,567 | 32,924 |
| Aircraft Carrier (Nuclear-powered) | 103,680 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aircraft Carrier (Non-nuclear-powered) | 28,188 | 6,804 | 972 | 0 | 0 |
| Helicopter Carrier | 3,888 | ***3,888 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ship-Based Rotary Wing* | 20,610 | 1,068 | 858 | 0 | 78 |
| Ship-Based Fixed Wing | 122,912 | 7,680 | 3,360 | 0 | 0 |
| Shore-Based Maritime Fixed Wing* | 11,328 | 5,160 | 1,728 | 0 | 72 |
| Cruiser | 28,350 | 12,600 | 2,250 | 0 | 0 |
| Destroyer | 67,200 | 45,300 | 3,300 | 0 | 0 |
| Frigate | 12,320 | 17,220 | 6,720 | 280 | 0 |
| Corvette* | 0 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 0 | 1,140 |
| Missile Boat/Fast Attack Craft* | 360 | 4,416 | 0 | 984 | 1,800 |
| Tactical Submarine(Nuclear-powered) | 48,600 | 6,300 | 13,500 | 0 | 0 |
| Tactical Submarine (Non-nuclear-powered)* | 0 | 9,360 | 2,400 | 3,600 | 960 |
| Shore-based Anti-ship Missile* | 0 | 17,310 | 6,240 | 540 | 1,620 |
| Naval Domain Subtotal | 447,436 | 149,106 | 53,328 | 5,404 | 5,670 |
| Total 2023 CFPI Score | 1,356,252 | 798,388 | 442,080 | 98,363 | 59,770 |
1† Systems are classified according to international convention reflected in IISS’ The Military Balance. This sometimes means systems are evaluated as types different from the retaining state’s label (e.g. large ‘corvettes’ may be scored as frigates).
Fig. 3:
Technological Composition of U.S., China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran Conventional Arsenals (Excluding AFVs),* 2023.
Underlying quantity source: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
*All five states have large, mostly ageing inventories of armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) – armoured, armed vehicles other than main battle tanks – that would inject misleading noise into this depiction, which counts but does not weight systems. Figure 4 includes AFVs.
Fig. 4:
Technological Composition of U.S., China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran Conventional Arsenals by Sources of CFPI Score, 2023. Underlying quantity source: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Fig. 5:
CFPI Scores for Extra-Regional Projection Platforms* of the U.S., China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, 2023.
Underlying quantity source: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
*”Extra-regional projection platforms” includes the set of systems in the CFPI excluding all land systems, air defence systems, and shortrange or coastal naval platforms (corvettes, missile boats, non-nuclear-powered tactical submarines and anti-ship missiles). See list in Table 10.