WASHINGTON— Today, The Heritage Foundation released the 2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength, the 11th edition of the only independent, analytical, and comprehensive assessment of the United States military set against the current operating and threat environment. The Index assesses the capacity, capability, and readiness of the U.S. military and its ability to contend with growing threats to America’s national security interests.

The conclusions of the 2026 Index are clear. Decades of underfunding, prolonged deployments, inconsistent appropriations, and poor discipline in defense program execution have degraded U.S. military readiness and narrowed the margin for error in an increasingly dangerous global environment. The United States faces a serious risk of being unable to deter—or, if necessary, defeat—China in a protracted conflict.  

The incredible performances by the U.S. military in Operations Absolute Resolve and Midnight Hammer show that U.S. capability is still unmatched. However, quantity has a quality all its own, and the dramatic expansion of Chinese military capacity in terms of shipbuilding and munitions production is a serious source of concern for the United States, especially given that the U.S. military is not currently postured to prioritize deterring Chinese aggression.  

Dr. Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action, stated:

“Peace is preserved through strength. The Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Index of U.S. Military Strength takes a clear-eyed look at where our military stands after years of decline and underinvestment. Under President Trump’s leadership, readiness is beginning to recover, with renewed emphasis on military lethality, merit and accountability, allied burden-sharing, and the munitions and capabilities required to meet growing threats. Early gains like the One Big Beautiful Bill demonstrate meaningful progress, but rebuilding military strength requires a sustained focus on balancing operational readiness with fiscal accountability to deter future conflicts and protect the American people.”

Robert Greenway, director of the Allison Center for National Security, added:

“This year’s Index of U.S. Military Strength paints a sobering picture: after years of underinvestment and overuse, the U.S. military risks being unable to deter—or defeat—near-peer adversaries in a protracted conflict. The Trump Administration has begun to reverse a period of decline in U.S. and allied military strength, but the scope and pace of military buildups by our adversaries mean that restoring readiness, capacity, and resilience remains an urgent challenge.”

The 2026 Index identifies the expansion of adversary military power worldwide and evaluates the U.S. force posture required to meet those threats. The Index underscores the importance of increasing major warfighting platforms, revitalizing the defense industrial base, expanding munitions production, and strengthening sustainment and logistics capacity to ensure the United States can deter conflict and prevail if deterrence fails.

The 2026 Index underscores a fundamental truth: peace through strength remains the surest path to deterrence, stability, and the defense of America’s vital national interests.