The Country with World's Largest Navy

Special Report

Published: February 24, 2024 9:50 am

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: