Annual defense budget:  Not available

Defense spending trend: Not available

The military was intertwined with Saddam Hussein's regime. The elite paramilitary Republican Guard received the best equipment and training.

After the 1991 war Iraq's arsenal of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), many originally supplied by the West, was set for destruction under UN sanctions. The regime claimed to have complied, but was obstructive in its dealings with weapons inspectors, prompting the 2003 invasion. Though the Iraqi forces melted away in the face of the overwhelming invasion, fierce "resistance" continues. No WMDs have yet been found.

The creation of a new army, which is ultimately planned to number 40,000, was put into the hands of the private US Vinnel corporation. There will be no air force or paramilitary troops.

IRAQI ARMED FORCES

Army
		To be recreated by 2006		No data
Navy
		Disbanded		None
Air force
		Disbanded		None
Nuclear capability
		None

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004