International Institute for Strategic Studies

What International Institute for Strategic Studies does

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), founded in London in 1958 and structured as a UK registered charity and private company limited by guarantee, is an independent global authority on security, political risk and military conflict. It operates across five offices — London (headquarters), Washington D.C., Singapore, Manama (Bahrain) and Berlin — and serves governments, defence ministries, the corporate sector, academia, the media, armed forces and individual security experts.

Its core product portfolio combines flagship publications (The Military Balance annual covering 170+ countries, Survival journal, the Adelphi book series, Armed Conflict Survey, Strategic Comments at 40 issues per year, and Strategic Dossiers) with proprietary data platforms (Military Balance+ database, Cyber Power Matrix, Myanmar Conflict Map) and a satellite imagery analysis capability. Underpinning this is a content-and-data pipeline that aggregates open-source intelligence, applies proprietary methodologies (notably for measuring state cyber power), and updates structured datasets on a monthly cadence for select products. The Institute also convenes the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, the Prague Defence Summit, the Global Security and Innovation Summit in Hamburg and the Stockholm Civil Defence Forum, providing both commercially significant convening platforms and bilateral engagement venues for ministers and policymakers.

Revenue is generated across six streams: recurring subscriptions for the Military Balance+ database, individual and corporate membership, and print/digital publications; host-nation financial support for the major summits; corporate sponsorship for events and programmes; tailored consultancy through IISS Advisory and Six Analytic; donations from private individuals and foundations; and one-off publication sales through Amazon and Routledge. Go-to-market is sales-led, leveraging the convening power of the summits for relationship development with defence ministries, policymakers and industry leaders, and complemented by a multi-channel digital presence including the IISS website, podcasts, fortnightly email newsletters, research papers and satellite imagery analysis outputs.

Name

International Institute for Strategic Studies

Legal name

International Institute for Strategic Studies

Website

https://iiss.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The International Institute for Strategic Studies is an independent UK-based global think tank, founded in 1958, that produces authoritative analysis, databases and convening summits on international security, political risk and military conflict for governments, defence ministries, corporations, academics and security experts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Studies Research and Defence Intelligence

NAICS

International Affairs (928120), National Security (928110)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Intelligence (Strategic, Tactical & Technical) (BPAIAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC), Security Diplomacy & Defense Cooperation (Arms Control, Counterterrorism) (BPAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Strategic studies research
• Defence intelligence analysis
• Geopolitical risk consulting
• Military balance publications
• Security summit events

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Database and Publications Sales: Revenue from the sale of databases (Military Balance+) and publications including The Military Balance book, Survival journal, Adelphi series, Strategic Dossiers, Armed Conflict Survey, and Strategic Comments. Both print and digital formats available.
2. Host-Nation Support for Conferences: Financial support from host countries for organizing major security summits and dialogues in various regions.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partnerships and sponsorship for events, publications, and programs. Includes sponsorship of the Stockholm Civil Defence Forum by companies like Combitech, SAP, Ericsson, Microsoft, MONARCH, Sahar, and Qualcomm.
4. Research Work and Consultancy: Tailored geopolitical advice and bespoke data products designed to deliver critical advantage to private-sector clients. IISS Advisory and Six Analytic services provide customized consulting.
5. Individual and Corporate Membership: Membership programs providing access to publications, data, exclusive events, and networking opportunities. Individual members receive print and electronic publications plus invitations to members-only events.
6. Donations from Private Individuals and Foundations: Charitable contributions from private individuals and foundations supporting the Institute's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

IISS produces and sells independent, policy-relevant analysis on global security, political risk and military conflict through annual publications such as The Military Balance and Armed Conflict Survey, the Military Balance+ subscription database covering 170+ countries, the Survival journal and Adelphi book series, Strategic Comments and Strategic Dossiers. It also convenes world-renowned defence summits (Shangri-La Dialogue, Manama Dialogue, Prague Defence Summit, Stockholm Civil Defence Forum, Global Security and Innovation Summit), maintains interactive data platforms (Cyber Power Matrix, Myanmar Conflict Map), and delivers tailored geopolitical advisory and bespoke data products (IISS Advisory, Six Analytic) to governments, corporations and armed forces.

Product overview

The International Institute for Strategic Studies operates as a multi-product think tank offering a comprehensive portfolio of defence and security intelligence products. The core offerings include The Military Balance annual publication and Military Balance+ online database providing defence data on over 170 countries; Survival journal and The Adelphi Series for scholarly analysis; Strategic Comments for timely insights; and Armed Conflict Survey for conflict analysis. The Institute also convenes major security events including the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue (Asia's premier defence summit), IISS Manama Dialogue (Middle East's premier security summit), IISS Prague Defence Summit, Global Security and Innovation Summit, and Stockholm Civil Defence Forum. Additional products include the Cyber Power Matrix interactive platform, Myanmar Conflict Map, Missile Dialogue Initiative research, Advisory Services, Six Analytic bespoke data products, Satellite Imagery Analysis, and various podcasts. The portfolio combines authoritative data, analysis, events, and advisory services for governments, businesses, and experts in international security.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Military Balance+ Database: Online defence database delivering authoritative and searchable defence data and insights into military capabilities, policy priorities and commercial opportunities in more than 170 countries.
• IISS Cyber Power Matrix

Products and services

• The Military Balance (Annual Publication) Annual flagship publication providing open-source assessment of military forces, personnel numbers, equipment inventories and defence economics of over 170 countries; an indispensable resource for security policymaking, analysis and research.
• Military Balance+ Database Online defence database delivering authoritative and searchable defence data and insights into military capabilities, policy priorities and commercial opportunities in more than 170 countries; includes equipment capability data, defence budgets and forecasts, defence procurement data, forces and personnel data, deployments and exercises, and analytical assessments.
• Survival: Global Politics and Strategy Bi-monthly scholarly journal serving as a leading forum for analysis and debate of international and strategic affairs, challenging conventional wisdom and bringing fresh perspectives on strategic issues.
• The Adelphi Series Authoritative series of books on international security issues representing the Institute's principal contribution to policy-relevant, original academic research.
• Strategic Comments Online analysis providing succinct, timely and cogent insights on international security and politico-military issues, with 40 issues per year delivered to policymakers, journalists, business executives and analysts.
• Armed Conflict Survey Annual review of the political, military and humanitarian dimensions of all active conflicts, offering in-depth analysis of drivers and dynamics of current wars.
• Strategic Dossiers Detailed publications presenting information on key strategic issues including the Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment, Progress and Shortfalls in Europe's Defence, and the Iran Dossier.
• IISS Shangri-La Dialogue Asia's premier defence summit, a unique meeting where ministers debate the region's most pressing security challenges, engage in bilateral talks and develop fresh approaches; held annually in Singapore.
• IISS Manama Dialogue The Middle East's premier security summit, held annually in Bahrain since 2004, providing a unique forum for national leaders, ministers and policymakers from Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia to discuss pressing regional security issues.
• IISS Prague Defence Summit Major forum for political, military and industry leaders to discuss the most effective ways to build defence capacity in the Euro-Atlantic region.
• Global Security and Innovation Summit Unique event addressing emerging global security challenges and exploring cutting-edge solutions drawing on cyber security, artificial intelligence, robotics, space, quantum computing and defence technologies; hosted in Hamburg, Germany.
• IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum Forum bringing together political, military and industry leaders to engage in discussions on tackling current challenges to modern civil defence.
• IISS Cyber Power Matrix Interactive platform visualising state cyber power using data from 2001 onwards, including cyber operations, disinformation operations and disruptions of submarine cables across physical, logical and virtual layers of cyberspace; datasets updated monthly.
• Myanmar Conflict Map Online tool tracking and explaining the evolution of the competition for power in Myanmar.
• IISS Advisory Services Tailored geopolitical advice designed to deliver critical business advantage to private-sector clients.
• Six Analytic Bespoke data products designed to deliver critical business advantage leveraging the Institute's analytical power and global footprint.
• Satellite Imagery Analysis Service Harnesses satellite imagery from leading commercial partners to monitor, analyse and verify complex defence, security and geopolitical developments around the world.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Military Balance is acknowledged as the definitive audit of global military power
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• CombitechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsor of the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026. Combitech accelerates development of a smarter, more sustainable and resilient society by combining experience within defence and industry sectors.
• SAPminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsor of the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026. SAP is a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, bringing together business-critical operations for governments and organizations for over 50 years.
• EricssonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsor of the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026. Ericsson is the global leader in mobile connectivity leveraging expertise in communication networks to transform defense and civil defense communications.
• MicrosoftminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsor of the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026. Microsoft creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions and is committed to making AI available broadly and responsibly.
• MONARCHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsor of the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026. MONARCH is a European intelligence-led national security company that protects democracy, enables strategic intelligence and defends national and critical infrastructure.
• SaharminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsor of the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026. Sahar is a French technology company addressing high-impact challenges through advanced data analysis, committed to dual-use innovation and defence of French technological sovereignty.
• QualcommminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Sponsor of the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum 2026. Qualcomm delivers leading-edge AI, high performance, lower-power computing, and unrivalled connectivity, collaborating across diverse ecosystem for federal, state, and local governments as well as first responders and military.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): Chatham House is a London-based international affairs think tank publishing research, hosting high-level events, and serving government and corporate members. Like IISS, it combines scholarly journals, convening power, and policy advisory services with a similar UK charity/non-profit structure.
• Atlantic Council: Atlantic Council is a Washington-based international affairs think tank producing policy research and hosting high-level forums on global security. It mirrors IISS's combination of analytical publications, convening events, and corporate partnerships.
• RAND Corporation: RAND is a global policy research organization producing defense, security, and strategic analysis for governments and private clients. Its defense research, country studies, and consultancy offerings compete with IISS's research and Six Analytic-style bespoke analysis.
• SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute): SIPRI is an independent international research institute focused on armaments, disarmament, and international security, producing widely cited databases on military expenditure and arms transfers. It directly parallels IISS's defense data, conflict analysis, and policy research mandate.
• Janes (Jane's Information Group): Janes is a leading provider of open-source defense intelligence, country risk, and equipment data, directly competing with IISS's Military Balance+ and Military Balance publications. Both organizations cover global military capabilities, force structures, and procurement data for governments, defense primes, and analysts.
• Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU): EIU provides country risk, geopolitical forecasting, and policy analysis to corporate and government subscribers. Its subscription intelligence products and country-by-country risk coverage parallel Military Balance+ and IISS Advisory offerings.
• Stratfor (Stratfor Enterprises): Stratfor is a subscription-based geopolitical intelligence platform providing forecasts, country risk, and security analysis to corporate and government clients. It is a direct competitor to IISS's data, advisory, and subscription intelligence products.
• CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies): CSIS is a Washington-based think tank producing defense, security, and geopolitical analysis with strong convening power and government/corporate membership. It competes directly with IISS in policy research, conferences, and advisory services to defense ministries and corporate clients.
• RANE (Risk and Resilience Education / The Risk Advisory Group): RANE provides geopolitical risk intelligence, country risk analysis, and security advisory to corporate clients. It competes directly with IISS Advisory in the corporate geopolitical advisory segment, while its analyst network is comparable to IISS's expert ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution: Brookings is a broader public policy research organization covering economics, governance, and foreign policy. While not defense-specialized like IISS, it competes for the same government, corporate, and academic audiences in international security and policy research.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-institute-for-strategic-studies
• Xx.com/IISS_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/timeline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Institute for Strategic Studies