List of Top 10 Maritime Navies in the World
The Navy plays a vital role in global maritime security. It protects trade routes, fights piracy and smuggling, etc., and demonstrates its power. The world’s largest navies have the most modern warships equipped with advanced technology and systems, allowing them to shape global geopolitics.
In this article, we will rank the world’s top 10 largest and most powerful navies according to the World Warships List ranking, which is based on a formula that takes into account all factors, not just the size or number of ships in the naval fleet. These include the level of fleet modernization, logistical support, offensive and defensive capabilities, local shipyards, and more. By these criteria, the largest and most powerful naval force is the United States Navy.
Let’s take a look at the other countries on this list that make up the world’s largest navies.
1. United States Navy
The United States Navy has an active naval fleet of 232 ships. It has the world’s largest fleet of aircraft carriers, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is considered one of the most advanced warships. Its surface forces are primarily made up of destroyers, including 74 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in service, with another 19 scheduled to enter service. It also has two Zumwalt-class destroyers in service, and one under construction. These ships account for about 33% of its force. The Navy also has littoral combat ships and amphibious assault ships. It also has the world’s most efficient submarine fleet, including 53 fast attack submarines, 14 ballistic missile submarines, and 4 guided missile submarines.
2. People’s Liberation Army Navy
China has 405 active ships, and if the number of ships is used as a dividing criterion, the Chinese Navy is the largest in the world. However, its fleet lags behind American ships in terms of modernization. However, the PLA Navy is growing rapidly in both quantity and technological upgrades, focusing on more advanced surface ships and submarines and basic support ships.
China has a fleet of two fixed-wing aircraft carriers, and a fleet of more than 70 submarines, only some of which are obsolete. Its fleet of destroyers and frigates is also relatively new. The navy also has 70 light frigates and 8 minesweepers. The amphibious assault force is also large, with at least 24 ships on order. The 127 offshore patrol ships account for about 31% of its total force, followed by submarines at 18%, and destroyers, frigates and light frigates each at 12%.
3. Russian Navy
The Russian Navy has 283 active ships, of which cruisers account for 31.2%, submarines account for 21%, and 48 minesweepers/mine warfare ships account for 18%. The fleet consists of battlecruisers, destroyers, offshore patrol ships and amphibious assault support ships. Moscow has only one aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which belongs to the Kuznetsov class. It has been the flagship of the Russian Navy since it was commissioned in 1990. The Navy’s 58 submarines and 4 corvettes make up an aging force, while the frigate fleet has added some new ships.
Corvettes, numbering 83, make up the bulk of Russia’s surface combat forces, and their number is expected to continue increasing. Another important naval force is the fifty offshore patrol ships, which account for 18% of the navy’s strength.
4. Indonesian Navy
The Indonesian Navy is said to be the largest navy in Southeast Asia, with 245 active ships. Its naval strength is steadily growing with the purchase of advanced weapons and an emphasis on modernization. In 2020, the Indonesian Minister of Defense began purchasing new frigates from the United Kingdom, and construction will begin in East Java, Indonesia in 2022.
It has also recently purchased two Patoliatore Polivalente d’Altura-class offshore patrol vessels from Italy and launched two other domestically produced patrol vessels. Indonesia is also in talks with Turkey and France to expand its naval capabilities. Indonesia is buying ships equipped with anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapons to enhance its deterrence capabilities against China’s growing influence in the disputed South China Sea.
The Indonesian Navy has four submarines, accounting for 2% of its total force; seven frigates and 25 light frigates, accounting for 10% of its force; 168 offshore patrol ships, accounting for 69% of its force; and 32 amphibious assault ships.
5. South Korean Navy
The South Korean Navy is a powerful naval force with about 70,000 soldiers, about 147 ships, and a modern submarine fleet, such as the KSS-III class. It is one of the most powerful navies in the region. The navy is also planning an aircraft carrier program.
The force is designed for defense and deterrence and relies on its maritime patrol fleet, which accounts for half of its force. North Korea has China as an ally, while South Korea has the United States and some regional allies.
It has 21 submarines, accounting for 14% of its total force. 13 destroyers, accounting for 9%; 17 frigates, accounting for 12%; 14 minesweepers, and 69 offshore patrol ships. It also has 10 amphibious assault ships.
6. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The Japanese Navy is the second-largest navy in Asia in terms of fleet tonnage. Its 105 active ships have advanced technology, focus on anti-submarine warfare capabilities, strong shipbuilding infrastructure, and well-trained crews.
Lacks dedicated aircraft carriers, but its advantage lies in destroyers and submarines equipped with advanced weapons and sensors. The navy consists of 24 submarines, 42 destroyers, 6 frigates, 22 mine boats, 6 offshore patrol ships, and 3 amphibious assault ships.
7. Indian Navy
India’s geographical location enables its navy to control important waterways while maintaining its regional influence. The Indian Navy has 150 ships and submarines and 300 aircraft. There are 67,252 active military personnel and 75,000 reserve personnel.
It has modern warships, aircraft carriers, submarines, and a well-organized naval aviation force. China’s growing shipbuilding capabilities enable it to project power throughout the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy’s two warships, “Vikramaditya” and “Vikrant”, provide platforms for the deployment of fighter jets, enhancing India’s maritime projection capabilities. Its fleet includes two aircraft carriers, 19 submarines, 13 destroyers, 14 frigates, 18 corvettes, 29 offshore patrol ships, and 5 amphibious assault ships.
8. French Navy
The French Navy is one of the most powerful navies in the world, with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and a large fleet of surface ships and submarines. Its submarine fleet consists of 10 ships, 8 submarines, 21 destroyers, 17 minecraft, 20 offshore patrol ships, and 3 amphibious assault ships.
The French Navy relies on nuclear deterrence. In terms of maritime technology, the French Navy continues to advance its Maritime Unmanned Systems (MUS) program. It is also developing new systems and new ships, including unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
9. British Navy
The British Royal Navy, also known as the Royal Navy, has a long history of naval dominance. Its ships and submarines use advanced technology, with a particular focus on research and development.
The British Navy is able to operate in multiple theatres simultaneously, a legacy bestowed upon it by Britain’s role in the Industrial Revolution, which enabled it to develop extensive shipbuilding capabilities and maintain a large fleet. A quarter of its force consists of frigates, followed by minesweepers and submarines.
The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are among the largest warships. They are equipped with modern weapons and communications systems and have the F-35 Lightning II fixed-wing fighter as their primary attack system. These ships can carry up to 72 aircraft.
The British Navy has 50 active ships, including 2 aircraft carriers, 9 submarines, 6 destroyers, 8 frigates, 7 minesweepers and 18 offshore patrol vessels.
10. Turkish Navy
Turkey has invested heavily in modernizing its naval fleet by introducing domestically produced warships, such as the Ada-class corvettes and the soon-to-be-launched Musim aircraft carrier. It is also committed to developing naval defense systems and technologies as the country prioritizes self-sufficiency to reduce its dependence on foreign countries.
The Turkish active fleet currently has 90 ships, including 1 helicopter carrier, 13 submarines, 17 frigates, 9 corvettes, 11 minesweepers, 34 offshore patrol ships and 5 amphibious assault ships. TCG Anadolu is the largest ship in the Turkish Navy. It is an amphibious assault ship equipped with a helicopter pad, allowing Turkey to expand its influence in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
