The Imperial Armed Forces (IAF) was the combined army and navy of the Empire of the Hand, formed from the corresponding organizations of the preceding period. Although being a direct successor of the Imperial Army and Navy, the IAF was different in several aspects due to the unique problems that arose from the Empire's undisclosed location and the subsequent lack of resources: Kaminoan-bred clone troopers, Galactic Republic equipment and older warships could be frequently spotted amongst the more modern Star Destroyers and elite stormtroopers. Divided into fleets and armies (army groups), the IAF itself was led jointly by the acting Grand Admiral and the Council of Moffs, who were capable of vetoing the former's decision in case the body collectively opposed it. Members of the Imperial Armed Forces saw action on both rugged, diverse Unknown Regions worlds and civilized mainstream planets, most notably in the Thrawn campaign of 8–10 ABY.
Following the peace treaty signed on Kalee in 10 ABY, which officially ended hostilities between the New Republic and Thrawn's Empire, the IAF found itself without an opponent to engage. Since most Imperial territories were devoid of pirates due to their distance from the bulk of the civilized galaxy, they could not return to the traditional peace-time role of fighting criminal organizations. Soon, the IAF found itself a new role: it helped protect Imperial interests on foreign worlds through attachés assigned to embassies.