The days of vast naval dominance governing maritime trade and security is over. From the 18th to the early 20th centuries, starting with the Battle of Trafalgar up to World War II, the British Royal Navy mostly had uncontested control over the world’s oceans and maritime territories. This supremacy allowed for the seamless movement of supplies and troops for Britain and its allies during wartime, while hindering adversaries.
Following World War II, though, the United States surpassed Britain in both naval size and strength, establishing itself as the foremost global naval power. But, according to the U.S. Naval Institute, the U.S. no longer has uncontested authority over international waters. The emergence of the Chinese Navy and the revival of the Russian Navy have posed significant challenges, leaving the U.S. with no control over certain regional maritime areas.
These days, advancements in technology have reached a level where a single ship can overpower older vessels in combat. For example, an American Zumwalt-class destroyer can carry up to 80 highly sophisticated cruise, anti-submarine, and anti-ship missiles, and is presently undergoing upgrades that include hypersonic missiles. Yet, despite the significance of technological advancements, there is still strength in numbers. Countries with extensive interests must still maintain a sizable fleet of naval vessels.
24/7 Wall St. analyzed GlobalFirepower’s 2023 naval forces database, which includes information on the military capabilities of 145 countries, to determine the nation with the largest navy globally. Countries were ranked according to their naval vessel count, starting from 150 vessels, and classified into four categories. Details about notable ships were mainly sourced from Military Factory, and supplemented by other sources. Data on overall military spending and military spending as a percentage of gross domestic product were obtained from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s Military Expenditure Database.
After years of uninterrupted military growth, China now has the largest navy globally. This development raises alarms for Taiwan, which is located approximately 100 miles east across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. China’s naval arsenal now exceeds that of any other nation, with a formidable fleet of submarines, destroyers, frigates, and corvettes. Meanwhile, Russia, historically focused on land-based operations and securing ice-free ports, ranks second in total naval vessels.
While the United States ranks fourth in terms of global naval size, it does have an impressive fleet of 11 aircraft carriers, more than any other country. With unparalleled quality and firepower, the U.S. Navy still maintains its dominance worldwide.
The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, historically the world’s most commanding naval power until World War II, no longer ranks among the top 21 navies globally. This notable shift highlights the changes in maritime power dynamics over time.
These are the nations with the largest navies in the world:
21. Turkey
- Naval fleet size: 154
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 25 — #9 most of 145
- Submarines: 12 — #9 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 34 — #32 most of 145
- Notable ship: Anadolu (L-400) — amphibious assault ship
- Military spending, 2021: $15.5 billion — #18 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 2.1% — #45 most of 145
20. Japan
Source: kuremo / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Naval fleet size: 155
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 46 — #4 most of 145
- Submarines: 21 — #6 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 6 — #90 most of 145
- Notable ship: JS Izumo (DDH-183) — helicopter carrier
- Military spending, 2021: $54.1 billion — #9 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.1% — #106 most of 145
19. South Korea
- Naval fleet size: 157
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 38 — #6 most of 145
- Submarines: 22 — #5 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 35 — #31 most of 145
- Notable ship: ROKS Daegu (FFG-818) — Daegu-class frigate
- Military spending, 2021: $50.2 billion — #10 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 2.8% — #28 most of 145
18. Spain
- Naval fleet size: 166
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 11 — #24 most of 145
- Submarines: 2 — #40 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 23 — #45 most of 145
- Notable ship: Juan Carlos I (L61) — amphibious assault ship
- Military spending, 2021: $19.5 billion — #16 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.4% — #86 most of 145
17. Bolivia
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 170
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 0 — #66 most of 145
- Submarines: N/A
- Offshore patrol vessels: 49 — #17 most of 145
- Notable ship: PR51 Santa Cruz de la Sierra — offshore patrol vessel
- Military spending, 2021: $625.3 million — #82 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.5% — #73 most of 145
16. Mexico
- Naval fleet size: 194
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 20 — #12 most of 145
- Submarines: N/A
- Offshore patrol vessels: 150 — #5 most of 145
- Notable ship: ARM Revolucion (P-164) — offshore patrol vessel
- Military spending, 2021: $8.7 billion — #28 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 0.7% — #126 most of 145
15. Algeria
Source: public domain/flickr
- Naval fleet size: 201
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 11 — #24 most of 145
- Submarines: 6 — #17 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 25 — #42 most of 145
- Notable ship: Kalaat Beni Abbes — amphibious transport dock
- Military spending, 2021: $9.1 billion — #26 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 5.6% — #4 most of 145
14. Myanmar
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 210
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 8 — #36 most of 145
- Submarines: 2 — #38 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 124 — #7 most of 145
- Notable ship: UMS Min Ye Kyaw Htin — attack submarine
- Military spending, 2021: $2.1 billion — #60 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 3.3% — #17 most of 145
13. Egypt
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 245
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 20 — #12 most of 145
- Submarines: 8 — #14 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 48 — #19 most of 145
- Notable ship: ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser (L1010) — amphibious assault ship
- Military spending, 2021: $5.2 billion — #43 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.3% — #93 most of 145
12. Finland
- Naval fleet size: 246
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 0 — #66 most of 145
- Submarines: N/A
- Offshore patrol vessels: 8 — #83 most of 145
- Notable ship: Rauma — Rauma-class missile boat
- Military spending, 2021: $5.9 billion — #37 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 2.0% — #46 most of 145
11. Colombia
Source: Bossiema / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Naval fleet size: 265
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 11 — #24 most of 145
- Submarines: 4 — #29 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 53 — #15 most of 145
- Notable ship: ARC Gloria — training ship
- Military spending, 2021: $10.2 billion — #25 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 3.4% — #16 most of 145
10. Sri Lanka
- Naval fleet size: 275
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 5 — #46 most of 145
- Submarines: N/A
- Offshore patrol vessels: 59 — #13 most of 145
- Notable ship: SLNS Gajabahu (P626) — offshore patrol vessel
- Military spending, 2021: $1.6 billion — #64 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.9% — #54 most of 145
9. Thailand
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 292
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 13 — #18 most of 145
- Submarines: N/A
- Offshore patrol vessels: 49 — #18 most of 145
- Notable ship: HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG-471) — frigate
- Military spending, 2021: $6.6 billion — #33 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.3% — #89 most of 145
8. India
Source: JHMimagine / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Naval fleet size: 295
- Number of aircraft carriers: 2 — #2 most of 7
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 42 — #5 most of 145
- Submarines: 18 — #8 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 138 — #6 most of 145
- Notable ship: INS Vikrant — aircraft carrier
- Military spending, 2021: $76.6 billion — #3 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 2.7% — #30 most of 145
7. Italy
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 313
- Number of aircraft carriers: 2 — #2 most of 7
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 17 — #15 most of 145
- Submarines: 8 — #15 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 18 — #57 most of 145
- Notable ship: Giuseppe Garibaldi — aircraft carrier
- Military spending, 2021: $32.0 billion — #11 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.5% — #75 most of 145
6. Indonesia
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 324
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 31 — #7 most of 145
- Submarines: 4 — #30 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 202 — #2 most of 145
- Notable ship: KRI Banda Aceh (LPD-593) — landing platform dock
- Military spending, 2021: $8.3 billion — #29 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 0.7% — #125 most of 145
5. Sweden
Source: Trygve Finkelsen / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Naval fleet size: 367
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 7 — #40 most of 145
- Submarines: 5 — #25 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 298 — #1 most of 145
- Notable ship: HSwMS Karlstad (K35) — corvette
- Military spending, 2021: $7.9 billion — #32 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.3% — #95 most of 145
4. United States
- Naval fleet size: 484
- Number of aircraft carriers: 11 — #1 most of 7
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 114 — #2 most of 145
- Submarines: 68 — #3 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 10 — #81 most of 145
- Notable ship: USS Gerald R. Ford — aircraft carrier
- Military spending, 2021: $800.7 billion — #1 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 3.5% — #15 most of 145
3. North Korea
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 519
- Number of aircraft carriers: N/A
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 5 — #46 most of 145
- Submarines: 35 — #4 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 169 — #3 most of 145
- Notable ship: Sinpo-class — submarine
- Military spending, 2021: N/A
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: N/A
2. Russia
Source: 77258709@N06 / Flickr
- Naval fleet size: 598
- Number of aircraft carriers: 1 — #6 most of 7
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 112 — #3 most of 145
- Submarines: 70 — #2 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 59 — #12 most of 145
- Notable ship: Admiral Kuznetsov — aircraft carrier
- Military spending, 2021: $65.9 billion — #5 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 4.1% — #11 most of 145
1. China
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Naval fleet size: 730
- Number of aircraft carriers: 2 — #2 most of 7
- Destroyers, frigates, and corvettes: 165 — #1 most of 145
- Submarines: 78 — #1 most of 145
- Offshore patrol vessels: 150 — #4 most of 145
- Notable ship: Liaoning — aircraft carrier
- Military spending, 2021: $293.4 billion — #2 highest of 145
- Military spending as pct. of GDP: 1.7% — #63 most of 145
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