Naval forces play a vital role in the realm of global maritime security. They protect trade routes, keep a check on piracy, smuggling, etc and also project power. The biggest navies of the world have the most modern warships with advanced technologies and systems, enabling them to shape global geopolitics.
In this article, we will rank the Top 10 Biggest and most powerful navies in the world based on the rankings of the World Directory of Modern Military Warships, which uses a formula that takes into consideration all the factors, not just the size or number of ships in the naval fleet. This includes the level of modernisation in the fleet, logistical support, attack and defense capabilities, local shipyards, etc.
As per this criteria, the biggest and strongest navy is the U.S Navy.
Let’s take a look at the other members of this list comprising the biggest navies of the world.
1. U.S Navy
The U.S. Navy has 232 ships in its active naval inventory.
It boasts the biggest aircraft carrier fleet in the world, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, said to be one of the most advanced warships.
The majority of its surface force is made of destroyers, with 74 active Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and 19 planned to enter service. It also has two active Zumwalt-class destroyers and one under trials. These ships comprise about 33% of its strength.
The Navy also has Littoral Combat Ships and Amphibious Assault Ships.
It also has the most capable submarine fleet in the world, with 53 fast attack submarines, 14 ballistic-missile submarines and 4 guided-missile submarines.
2. People’s Liberation Army Navy
China has 405 ships in its active service, making it the biggest navy in the world, if the number of ships is taken as a criteria of classification. However, its fleet lags behind in terms of modernisation when compared with U.S. naval ships.
Nonetheless, the PLAN Navy is growing rapidly, both in number and in technological upgrades, focusing on more advanced surface and undersea ships as well as critical support ships.
It has a fixed-wing carrier fleet, numbering two units and a submarine fleet consisting of over 70 vessels with only a few beginning to age. Its fleet of destroyers and frigates is also relatively young.
The navy also has 70 corvettes and 8 mine/countermine boats. The amphibious assault force is also considerable, and there are at least 24 ships on order.
Its 127 Offshore patrol vessels make up around 31% of its total strength, followed by submarines at 18% and destroyers, frigates and corvettes, contributing 12% each.
3. Russian Navy
The Russian Navy has 283 active ships in its fleet, of which corvettes make 31.2% of its strength, submarines 21%, and its 48 mine/countermine warfare ships make 18%. The fleet is quite balanced with battle cruisers, destroyers, offshore patrol ships and amphibious assault support ships.
Moscow has just one aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, part of the Kuznetsov class. It has been the Russian Navy’s flagship since it was commissioned in 1990.
The Navy’s 58 submarines and 4 cruisers are an aging force, while the frigate fleet has seen a few new additions.
Corvettes make the biggest part of Russia’s surface combatant force, numbering 83, while more can be expected.
Another significant force is the 50 offshore patrol vessels, which comprise 18% of its strength.
4. Indonesian Navy
The Indonesian Navy is said to be the largest in Southeast Asia, with 245 ships in service. Its maritime capabilities are steadily rising as it acquires advanced weaponry and focuses on modernisation.
In 2020, Indonesia’s defense minister kicked off procuring new frigates from the U.K, with construction starting in 2022 in East Java, Indonesia.
Recently, it also acquired 2 Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura offshore patrol vessels from Italy and launched two others built indigenously. Indonesia is also in talks with Turkey and France for expanding its naval capabilities.
Indonesia is procuring ships with anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapons to bolster its deterrence capabilities against China’s growing influence in the disputed South China Sea.
The Indonesian Navy has 4 submarines, making 2% of its total strength; it has 7 frigates, 25 corvettes, giving it a strength of 10%, 168 offshore patrol ships which make up 69% of its total strength and 32 amphibious assault ships.
5. Republic of Korea Navy
Considered a strong naval force with around 70,000 personnel, about 147 ships and a modern submarine fleet such as the KSS-III Class, the Republic of Korea Navy is one of the most powerful in the region. It also has plans for an aircraft carrier program.
It was envisaged with defense and deterrence in mind and is dependent on its Offshore Patrol Vessels fleet that comprises half of its strength.
While the North has an ally in China, South Korea has the U.S and a few regional allies.
It has 21 submarines, making up 14% of its total strength, 13 destroyers, which make up 9%, 17 frigates giving it 12%, 14 mine warfare ships and 69 offshore patrol ships. It also has 10 amphibious assault vessels.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is the second largest navy in Asia in terms of fleet tonnage, with 105 ships in service. Its warships are equipped with cutting-edge technology, focusing on anti-submarine warfare capabilities, a robust shipbuilding infrastructure, and a trained crew.
Although lacking dedicated aircraft carriers, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force excels in destroyers and submarines equipped with advanced weapons and sensors. The navy’s fleet includes 24 submarines, 42 destroyers, 6 frigates, 22 mine warfare ships, 6 offshore patrol vessels, and 3 amphibious assault vessels.
7. Indian Navy
India’s geographic position enables the Indian Navy to monitor crucial sea lanes while maintaining regional influence. With a fleet of 150 ships and submarines, and 300 aircraft, the Indian Navy is supported by 67,252 active personnel and 75,000 reserve personnel.
Equipped with modern warships, aircraft carriers, submarines, and a well-organised naval aviation arm, the Indian Navy’s expanding shipbuilding capacity allows for power projection across the Indian Ocean. The navy’s INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant serve as platforms for deploying fighter aircraft, enhancing India’s naval projection capabilities. The fleet comprises 2 aircraft carriers, 19 submarines, 13 destroyers, 14 frigates, 18 corvettes, 29 offshore patrol vessels, and 5 amphibious assault ships.
8. French Navy
The French Navy is one of the strongest navies globally, bolstered by its nuclear aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, and a significant fleet of surface vessels and submarines. The undersea fleet includes 10 boats, along with 8 submarines, 21 destroyers, 17 mine warfare ships, 20 offshore patrol vessels, and 3 amphibious assault vessels.
The French Navy’s focus on nuclear deterrence is evident, with ongoing advancements in maritime uncrewed systems (MUS) programmes and the development of new systems and vessels, including uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
9. British Navy
Known as the Royal Navy, the British Navy boasts a rich history of naval dominance and advanced technologies in its ships and submarines, with a strong emphasis on research and development. The navy’s capability to operate in multiple theatres simultaneously is a testament to Britain’s shipbuilding prowess and a large fleet.
A significant portion of the British Navy comprises frigates, followed by mine warfare ships and submarines. The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, armed with modern communication systems and the fixed-wing F-35 Lighting II strike fighter, can carry up to 72 aircraft, making them some of the largest warships in the fleet. The British Navy’s inventory includes 50 ships, including 2 aircraft carriers, 9 submarines, 6 destroyers, 8 frigates, 7 mine warfare ships, and 18 offshore patrol vessels.
10. Turkish Navy
Turkiye has made substantial investments in modernising its naval fleet with domestically built warships like the Ada-class corvettes and the upcoming MUGEM aircraft carrier. Emphasising self-sufficiency to reduce dependence on external powers, Turkiye is also advancing its naval defense systems and technologies.
The Turkish Navy’s active inventory includes 90 ships, such as a helicopter carrier, 13 submarines, 17 frigates, 9 corvettes, 11 mine warfare ships, 34 offshore patrol vessels, and 5 amphibious assault vessels. TCG Anadolu, the largest ship in the Turkish Navy, is a landing helicopter dock-type amphibious assault ship, enhancing Turkiye’s influence in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
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