The buildup of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), which include all three military service branches (Army, Air Force, and Navy), Ministry of Interior forces (Oil Police, Border Guards, National Police, etc.), and counterterrorism forces, began in earnest in 2006. The first stage of this buildup (2006-2010) witnessed the expansion of the ISF in the area of manpower. The focus of the second stage (2011-2015) was on accumulating heavier platforms and equipment and fitting out the ISF so that it can tackle external threats. The third and final stage (2016-2020) is meant to provide a form of insurance that unmet capability goals can be achieved in the areas of training and advanced weaponry, and that new equipment can be absorbed into service.
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