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Conventional Firepower Potential Index (CFPI)

The conventional firepower potential index (CFPI) provides a peer-reviewed method for accessible comparative analysis of state conventional armaments. The CFPI offers scholars and analysts a means to measure the arsenals underpinning conventional strategic signaling. Favoring signaling value over combat effectiveness prediction, CFPI offers a proxy for the non-nuclear military capabilities of state governments in a way that does not require users to be familiar with equipment nomenclature. The index currently incorporates more than 1,500 major weapon designations weighted for their tactical role and degree of technological sophistication enabling 2021-indexed comparative analysis between 23 states. Country-years are added regularly and reflected in the changelog. Download the paper for a detailed explanation of the method including example applications.


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