What you are probably looking for is the Amazon Linux 2 minimal image: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/amzn2-al2023-minimal-ami.html The Container Images have even less packages installed: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/amzn2-al2023-container.html But i don't recommend using AL2, since it will go EOL in a year: https://aws.amazon.com/amazon-linux-2/faqs/ More on reddit.com

The differences between before-2 and Amazon Linux 2: There are four major differences Amazon Linux 2 has from its predecessors: Amazon Linux 2 will offer long-term support. It is available as a VM image for on-premises development and testing. It includes systemd service and systems manager as opposed to System V init system and also includes new version of compiler and build tools. It provides the ability to install additional software packages through Extras mechanism without impacting the underlying LTS stability of the operating system. More on reddit.com

Just my musings from having built most these major OS with packer pipelines in the past, I have no affiliation to AWS or special knowledge. AL2022 was the successor to AL2 and had been under dev/testing for years. They just renamed it from AL2022 --> AL2023 a week or so ago. https://github.com/amazonlinux/amazon-linux-2023/pull/275 . I think they originally planned to GA in 2022, hence the name, and that slid out. putting out an OS is hard work. AL (1) was based off RHEL6 (red hat) AL2 was based off RHEL7 AL2023 is fedora based, so moving to more of a rolling release AL in general is derived off another OS and those OS end of life so Amazon shifts to something new which makes sense for supporting packages and such. So the way these fit in is the same as any new OS, RHEL or Ubuntu new releases. Even Windows server releases; 2012-->16-->19 etc. Traditionally, major OS revolve around a major kernel update as well which often made for breaking changes for COTs apps a client may be using. Support for AL and AL2 got extended out past initial EOL for sec updates, just guessing covid and/or getting AL2023 out the door all played in to those decisions. There hasn't in the past been a supported direct upgrade path from major AL releases, so you can't run an upgrade check and do some commands to update and existing server from AL-->AL2. Ive seen folks do that with RHEL. I've personally never been a fan in the past of in-place OS upgrades for linux or windows; so a rebuild by hand or the opportunity to put everything into Ansible or other conf was a fun adventure. More on reddit.com

If you're worried about getting on AMZL2023 and its 5 years of support, what will Ubuntu LTS (and its also 5 year support lifecycle) buy you? More on reddit.com