This yearbook investigates the global state of military expansion and disarmament efforts during the height of the late Cold War era. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) utilizes its extensive network of researchers and primary data sources to provide a comprehensive audit of global armaments. The text presents a structured framework for evaluating military expenditure, technological advancements in weaponry, and the efficacy of international treaties and diplomatic negotiations.

Experts and historians recognize this volume as a foundational primary source for understanding the geopolitical climate of the late 1980s. Researchers frequently note the density of the statistical data and the objective, clinical approach taken by the institute in documenting the arms race.