Top 10 Countries With Most Submarines (2023)

Last updated on January 25th, 2024 at 07:30 am

Submarines are an important tool for navies around the world, as they provide a stealthy and effective means of defending a country’s interests at sea.

Here is a list of top 10 countries with the most number of submarines in 2023 as per the Global Firepower Index:

10. Greece

Greece is placed 10th on the list. The Greek Navy has 11 submarines, all of them are conventionally powered, and none of them are nuclear-powered.

9. Turkiye

As per the Global Firepower Index, Turkiye is placed 9th on the list. Turkish Naval Forces possess 12 submarines, all of which are conventionally powered, and none are Nuclear-powered.

8. India

Number 8 on the list is India.

Indian Navy has a total of 18 submarines, out of which 1 is nuclear-powered while other 17 are conventionally powered submarines.

7. Iran

Iran is 7th on the list. Iranian Navy possess a total of 19 submarines, and none of them are nuclear-powered.

6. Japan

Number 6 on the list is Japan.

The Japanese Navy has 21 submarines in total. None of the submarines possessed by Japanese Navy are Nuclear-powered.

5. South Korea

South Korea is the 5th on the list of countries with most submarines.

The South Korean Navy has 22 submarines overall, and none of these are nuclear-powered. All the submarines are conventionally powered.

4. North Korea

Yes, you read it right! The 4th topmost country in terms of number of submarines is North Korea.

The North Korean Navy has 35 submarines in total, none of the submarines possessed by North Korea are nuclear-powered.

3. United States of America

Yes, the USA is number 3 on the list, not number 1.

The mighty American Navy has 68 submarines in total, and all of these submarines are nuclear-powered.

Out of these 68, 14 are the ballistic missile submarines, and 54 are attack submarines.

Related – Which Countries Have Active Nuclear Submarines (2022)

2. Russia

Russia is the 2nd country to have the most number of submarines.

As of 2022, the Russian Navy has 70 submarines in total, 2 more than the United States Navy.

Out of these 70 submarines, 29 are nuclear-powered while the remaining 41 are conventionally powered submarines.

1. China

Finally the country with most number of submarines in the entire world is China!

The Chinese Navy has a total of 78 active submarines, 11 more than the United States Navy.

Out of these 78 submarines, only 12 are nuclear-powered while the remaining 66 are conventionally powered submarines.

So, these are the top 10 countries with most submarines in 2023 as per the Global Firepower Index.

To see the complete list of the countries with most submarines (2023), click here