The strength of a navy is not only a reflection of the number of ships it possesses but also the type and capabilities of those ships. Different countries have different priorities depending on their geography, economic interests, and security needs. Some nations prefer to maintain large surface fleets with aircraft carriers and destroyers, while others invest heavily in submarines or smaller vessels for coastal defense.
The South China Sea, for example, is a very strategic area, leading many Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam to build strong naval forces. The growth of naval power across the world has been shaped by regional tensions, technological progress, and changing defense strategies.
As of 2025, according to the World Directory of Modern Military Warships and other verified sources, a detailed picture of the largest naval fleets can be drawn. Here is an in-depth look at the ten largest navy fleets in the world in 2025.
The United States Navy
The United States Navy holds the top position among the world’s naval forces. Despite having fewer ships than some other countries, the United States Navy dominates due to the size, capability, and advanced technology of its fleet.
With 232 active vessels, the United States Navy remains unmatched in terms of aircraft carrier numbers, submarine technology, and global operational reach. Its aircraft carriers serve as floating airbases, allowing the United States to project power across every ocean.
The United States Navy has continued investing heavily in nuclear-powered submarines, advanced destroyers, and next-generation aircraft carriers like the Ford-class. This powerful fleet, supported by a network of overseas bases, makes the United States capable of responding quickly to conflicts and crises worldwide.
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy has rapidly expanded its capabilities, making it one of the most formidable naval forces. By 2025, China operates over 730 military vessels, which include a mix of aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, and frigates. In terms of the number of ships, China has the largest navy in the world.
The Chinese government has heavily invested in modernizing its fleet, introducing new classes of destroyers like the Type 055, new aircraft carriers like the Fujian, and expanding its nuclear and conventional submarine forces. China’s focus has been on increasing its ability to operate in contested areas, particularly in the South China Sea, and on strengthening its blue-water capabilities to protect its maritime interests far from its shores.
The Russian Navy
The Russian Navy remains one of the most powerful naval forces globally despite challenges in maintenance and funding. Russia fields 283 ships and has a strong focus on submarines, especially nuclear-powered submarines capable of carrying ballistic missiles. Russia’s surface fleet, although aging, includes heavy cruisers, destroyers, and frigates capable of carrying modern missiles.
The Russian Navy also has a strong presence in the Arctic, with specialized ships for icy waters. Russia’s naval strength continues to be rooted in its strategic submarine fleet, which plays a vital role in its nuclear deterrence strategy.
The Indonesian Navy
The Indonesian Navy, or Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut, is one of the largest navies in Southeast Asia. Indonesia’s geography, consisting of more than 17,000 islands, demands a strong naval force to defend its waters. With a fleet of 331 warships and submarines, Indonesia has heavily invested in patrol vessels, corvettes, and submarines to secure its vast maritime domain.
The Indonesian Navy also plays an important role in maintaining regional stability in Southeast Asia, especially in disputed waters around the South China Sea. It has been upgrading its capabilities through the acquisition of new submarines from South Korea and modernizing existing vessels.
Republic of Korea Navy
South Korea’s Republic of Korea Navy has emerged as a modern and capable force. With 227 ships, it focuses on defending the country’s waters from threats, particularly from North Korea. South Korea operates a balanced fleet of destroyers, submarines, and amphibious ships.
country has also started to build light aircraft carriers and advanced submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion. South Korea’s investments in advanced destroyers such as the Sejong the Great-class and next-generation submarines reflect its goal of strengthening maritime security and extending its reach beyond the Korean Peninsula.
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, although limited in size compared to some of its neighbors, is highly advanced. Japan operates 105 ships, focusing on high-tech destroyers, submarines, and helicopter carriers. Japanese naval policy emphasizes self-defense, but recent years have seen an increase in the development of new classes of vessels and plans to operate fighter aircraft from converted helicopter carriers. Japan’s focus on maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and missile defense has made its navy one of the most technologically sophisticated in the world.
The Indian Navy
The Indian Navy has steadily grown into a blue-water navy capable of operating far from its shores. As of 2025, the Indian Navy possesses approximately 170 ships and submarines, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, and a sizeable submarine force. India has two aircraft carriers in service, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, with INS Vishal under planning. India’s fleet of destroyers includes the Kolkata-class and Visakhapatnam-class, known for their modern stealth and missile capabilities.
The submarine arm has been bolstered with nuclear-powered submarines like INS Arihant and conventional Scorpène-class submarines. India has prioritized domestic shipbuilding under its “Make in India” initiative and continues to develop advanced frigates, corvettes, and submarines. Participation in joint naval exercises with global powers has further improved the Indian Navy’s operational readiness.
The French Navy
The French Navy, known as Marine Nationale, maintains a strong global presence with a fleet of 70 ships. France operates a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, along with a fleet of modern destroyers, submarines, and amphibious assault ships. France’s focus is on maintaining power projection capabilities, protecting overseas territories, and contributing to multinational operations. The French Navy is supported by a strong shipbuilding industry, and it continues to modernize its fleet with new classes of submarines and frigates. France remains a major naval power in Europe and one of the few countries capable of independent maritime operations globally.
The British Royal Navy
The British Royal Navy has a long tradition of maritime dominance. Although smaller than in the past, the Royal Navy remains highly capable with 50 ships. The introduction of two new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers has given the United Kingdom renewed carrier strike capability. The Royal Navy operates advanced destroyers like the Type 45 and plans for new frigates under the Type 26 and Type 31 programs. Submarines remain a key part of British naval strength, particularly the Vanguard-class and Astute-class submarines, which ensure the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrence. The Royal Navy continues to focus on maintaining a global presence, securing sea lanes, and supporting NATO operations.
The Turkish Navy
The Turkish Navy has also grown steadily, reflecting Turkey’s expanding security interests in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas. With a fleet of 90 ships, Turkey operates a mix of frigates, corvettes, submarines, and amphibious assault ships. The Turkish Navy has embarked on ambitious shipbuilding programs, including the construction of indigenous frigates under the MILGEM project and the acquisition of a new landing helicopter dock. Turkey’s naval expansion aims to support its regional ambitions and improve its ability to respond to security challenges in nearby waters.
Outside the top ten, other countries like Italy, Taiwan, Egypt, North Korea, and Algeria maintain large naval forces. Italy’s Navy operates 57 ships and has invested in new frigates and submarines. Taiwan’s Navy, known as the Republic of China Navy, focuses heavily on defending against possible threats from China and operates 94 ships. Egypt’s Navy is the largest in Africa, with 101 ships, while North Korea maintains a fleet of 195 vessels focused on coastal defense and submarine operations. Algeria’s Navy has expanded steadily, operating 93 ships to safeguard its Mediterranean coast.
Naval strength is not only about the number of ships but also their quality, training, and support systems. Countries like Sweden, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Finland, and Colombia also maintain large fleets, although their global presence is more limited. Sweden, for instance, with a fleet size of 308 ships, focuses heavily on protecting its Baltic Sea interests with modern corvettes and submarines. Similarly, Thailand’s Navy operates 293 ships and is focused on safeguarding its coastal waters.
