Rankings by category · SD Strength Index
Largest navies in the world: 2026 ranking
The ranking
Download the data (CSV)| # | Country | major warships |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United States | 189 |
| 2 |  China | 161 |
| 3 |  Russia | 100 |
| 4 |  Japan | 79 |
| 5 |  North Korea | 74 |
| 6 |  South Korea | 52 |
| 7 |  India | 51 |
| 8 |  Turkey | 31 |
| 9 |  France | 30 |
| 10 |  Taiwan | 26 |
| 11 |  Italy | 25 |
| 12 |  Greece | 24 |
| 13 |  United Kingdom | 24 |
| 14 |  Egypt | 20 |
| 15 |  Australia | 18 |
| 16 |  Germany | 17 |
| 17 |  Iran | 17 |
| 18 |  Canada | 16 |
| 19 |  Brazil | 14 |
| 20 |  Indonesia | 14 |
| 21 |  Singapore | 14 |
| 22 |  Spain | 14 |
| 23 |  Pakistan | 12 |
| 24 |  Chile | 11 |
| 25 |  Algeria | 11 |
| 26 |  Norway | 10 |
| 27 |  Peru | 10 |
| 28 |  Vietnam | 10 |
| 29 |  Bangladesh | 9 |
| 30 |  Netherlands | 9 |
| 31 |  Colombia | 8 |
| 32 |  Thailand | 8 |
| 33 |  Saudi Arabia | 7 |
| 34 |  South Africa | 7 |
| 35 |  Morocco | 7 |
| 36 |  Israel | 6 |
| 37 |  Myanmar | 6 |
| 38 |  Argentina | 5 |
| 39 |  Malaysia | 4 |
| 40 |  Philippines | 4 |
| 41 |  Sweden | 4 |
| 42 |  Poland | 3 |
| 43 |  Romania | 3 |
| 44 |  Venezuela | 3 |
| 45 |  Azerbaijan | 3 |
| 46 |  Bahrain | 2 |
| 47 |  Mexico | 2 |
| 48 |  Qatar | 1 |
| 49 |  United Arab Emirates | 1 |
| 50 |  Libya | 1 |
| 51 |  Nigeria | 1 |
| 52 |  Tunisia | 1 |
Which country has the largest navy in the world?
It depends on what you count. Our table ranks major warships: carriers, amphibious assault ships, destroyers, frigates and submarines. On that count the United States leads with about 190 and China follows with about 160. Count every hull instead and the order flips. China passes 370 ships and submarines, and North Korea's estimated 780 craft would top the list, though most are small boats and landing craft.
China's major fleet includes 45 to 50 destroyers, about 44 frigates, about 62 submarines and three aircraft carriers. It also runs four Type 075 assault ships, and the larger Type 076 Sichuan is on sea trials.
Why is the US Navy still the most powerful?
Because it is built of bigger, more capable ships. The United States had 293 battle force ships in October 2025, with more retirements due in 2026. They include 11 carriers (the Ford and ten Nimitz class), roughly 76 destroyers and 31 amphibious ships, nine of them big deck assault ships that carry F-35Bs. All 71 of its submarines are nuclear powered.
No other navy can keep several carrier groups at sea far from home at once. Its weak point is industrial: shipyard and submarine maintenance backlogs, and a frigate programme cut in November 2025 to the two hulls already being built.
Which other countries have large navies?
Russia keeps about 60 submarines, roughly half of them nuclear, but only about 10 destroyers and a carrier stuck in refit. Ukraine says the Black Sea Fleet has lost about 30% of its combat strength, a figure Silent Dossier cannot verify. Japan operates an estimated 38 destroyers, including Aegis ships now firing Tomahawk, and 24 submarines. South Korea has 13 destroyers and 21 submarines, and India about 150 vessels with two carriers and three ballistic missile submarines.
In Europe, Britain and France each run nine or ten nuclear submarines and real carriers. Turkey keeps launching warships at home, two Istif class frigates in 2026 alone, and has an estimated 17 frigates and 13 submarines. On the raw count, Colombia, Egypt and Turkey all sit just behind the United States.
How does Silent Dossier score sea power?
Sea power is 13% of the index. A carrier counts twelve times a corvette and a destroyer three times, and a nuclear submarine counts two and a half times a diesel boat. Patrol boats do not count at all, and the pillar is scaled by a judgement of how modern the fleet is. That is why China's hull lead does not put it ahead of the United States at sea.
Submarines show the effect best. A nuclear attack boat can cross an ocean submerged and hunt carriers; a coastal diesel boat cannot. North Korea's estimated 70 submarines are mostly old Romeo and Sang-O designs, and its sea score still trails Britain's, a navy with a fraction of the hulls.
Which navies are growing fastest?
China still launches warships faster than anyone. Fujian gave it a catapult carrier in 2025, and it now runs ten Type 055 cruisers, among the largest surface combatants afloat. South Korea launched its newest Aegis destroyer and its first KSS-III Batch II submarine in 2025, and Washington has backed its plan for nuclear powered attack submarines, with a first launch planned for the mid 2030s.
North Korea commissioned its first two modern destroyers in 2026, Choe Hyon in June and Kang Kon in September. India added a third ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, in April, and Pakistan commissioned its first Hangor class submarine that spring.
Questions readers ask
Which country has the largest navy in the world?
The United States, with about 190 major warships against roughly 160 for China. China has more hulls in total, over 370, and North Korea's estimated 780 craft are mostly small boats.
Who has the strongest navy in the world?
The United States, thanks to 11 aircraft carriers, about 76 destroyers and 71 nuclear powered submarines.
How many submarines does China have?
Silent Dossier estimates 58 to 66, with about 62 the central figure, including an estimated 12 to 16 nuclear powered boats.
Which country has the most submarines?
The United States has 71, all nuclear powered. North Korea has a similar number, an estimated 64 to 72, but most are old diesel and coastal boats.
Does Russia still have a strong navy?
Its submarine force, about 60 boats, remains serious. Its surface fleet is thin, with about 10 destroyers, and its only carrier is in a long refit.