Welcome to the third edition of the ASIA-PACIFIC MILITARY BALANCE (APMB) 2007-2008, the region’s only comprehensive bi-annual publication devoted to geo-politics, geo-strategic and military affairs of significance to Asia and the Far East.
When the idea of doing a military reference journal was first mooted by ADPR Consult’s senior editorial team, two fundamental criteria were immediately identified by them which had to be fulfilled to ensure the success of the journal.
Firstly that geo-strategic events of importance to the Asia Pacific region had to be researched, analysed and commented on by established Asian commentators, academics and defence planners to give these events a balanced Asian perspective. Secondly, the journal had to bridge the information gap not only between Asia and the global defence industry in a way that no other publication had yet done.
That done, ADPR Consult published the 1994/1995 ASIA PACIFIC MILITARY BALANCE(1st edition) confident that it would be well received in government, academic and industry circles. In fact, the first edition of ASIA PACIFIC MILITARY BALANCE proved to be a huge success winning widespread critical acclaim from academicians, politicians, senior military personnel and captains of industry from countries throughout the region for the depth and foresight of its articles. Also winning praise was the ORBAT (Order of Battle) section which revealed the minute of facts, figures, budgets, economic data and military hadware of the regional countries’ and their Armed forces. The APMB contains thought –provoking and deeply researched chapters authored by a distinguish panel of geo-strategic and geo-political commentators and writers.
It is in this wave of success that ADPR Consult was proud to publish the 1998/1999 ASIA PACIFIC MILITARY BALANCE(2nd edition) and is now proud to publish the 2007/2008 ASIA PACIFIC MILITARY BALANCE(3rd edition). Once again, a highlight of the journal will be the ORBAT section which has been painstakingly updated and verified for accuracy. The articles that will appear in this third edition bear our hallmark traits of depth and analyses within an Asian context. The 2007-2008 edition of ASIA PACIFIC MILITARY BALANCE will demonstrate that as a regional military journal it is without peer.
We hope that this publication, the third of a planned biennial series, can make a positive and meaningful contribution to the politico-military affairs in the Asia-Pacific region, and act as a catalyst for giving the region the importance and the attention it deserves.
