Mapping the Evolution of Defence Studies (1975 – 2024): A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends

Defence studies is a multidisciplinary field concerned with how state and non-state actors prepare for, deter, or engage in armed conflict, and how defence policy evolves in response to shifts in power, strategy, and technology. This article presents a bibliometric analysis of 896 academic publications on defence studies published between 1975 and 2024, retrieved from the Web of Science database. The study explores the temporal development of the field, identifies leading contributors and geographical distributions, and maps intellectual structures through the journal co-citation and keyword co-occurrence analyses. Results indicate growing scholarly interest, an expansion in regional research diversity, and the emergence of key thematic clusters related to defence policy, military strategy, and security governance. This study offers valuable insights for researchers and policymakers seeking to understand the intellectual trajectory and institutional landscape of defence studies.