Greater Noida (Defence Desk): With the ongoing conflicts around the world and the most powerful militaries like that or Russia and Israel engaging in wars for over months and years, it is evident that the combat on land is a long drawn engagement. While air force also has its own challenges, including high operational cost and regional obstacles, it is the navy that most of the global powers have turned their heads towards.
With globe’s oceans being a larger battlefield in terms of area, in comparison to the size of land, navies are the forces that will fight the scariest and the most intense wars in times to come.
But when it comes to navies from across the globe, which are the key players?
USA
To start with, the USA, as for the military, rule the world with their top ranking navy.
The US Navy is the third largest branch of the United States military service with 336,978 active duty personnel and 101,583 in the reserve
It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with a fleet of more than 300 ships, that include nuclear submarines and super carriers. It also has the world’s largest aircraft carrier fleet, with 11 already in service and two believed to be under construction, while the US is planning six more for the coming times.
Additionally the US navy has technologically advanced destroyers that are the largest ever built destroyers in the world.
China
Also known as the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the Chinese navy is the world’s largest navy by the number of vessels. However it argued that the Chinese naval practices and technology used may not be at par with that of the other global elites.
If we talk of displacement, in the year 2025, the PLAN is the second largest navy in the world by total displacement tonnage of two million tons. It is the US navy that tops the chart going by displacement.
Chinese navy also is the largest navy globally by number of active surface ships that are over 370. This is despite excluding coastal missile boats, gunboats and minesweepers.
Russia
On third position around the world comes the Russian Navy, after the United States and China.
The Russian Navy has a large submarine fleet, including 16 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Russia has also modernized its submarine force in recent years making its fleet one the most lethal in the world.
What could be more worrisome for Russia’s rivals is that it plans to have up to 30 Alexandrit class minesweepers in service within ten years from now, by 2035.
Establishing its presence and dominance, last year Russia also conducted major drills involving most of its fleet in the Arctic, Pacific, Baltic, and Caspian seas. The drills tested the navy’s capabilities and readiness at all levels.
Since Russia also is engaged in a war for the past two years it also has lost about one-third of its fleet in the Black Sea but has effectively engaged causing sufficient damage to its rival Ukraine.
India
Fourth among the world powers, the Indian Navy is considered a multi-regional power projection blue-water navy. The Indian Navy has 67,252 active and 75,000 reserve personnel.
It has a fleet of over 150 ships and submarines, including two aircraft carriers, 16 attack submarines, 12 destroyers, 12 frigates, and 18 corvettes. The Indian Navy also has 300 aircraft.
Not just this but the Indian Navy is currently building more than 50 ships and submarines, including an Indigenous Aircraft Carrier.
Over the years the Indian Navy has mastered the art of an arrested landing and ski-jump take off on the deck of a carrier.
What could be more challenging for its rivals is that the Indian Navy’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plan aims to have 200 ships, 500 aircraft, and 24 attack submarines.
It is the valour it holds and the spark it generates that makes it the fourth strongest on the globe.
France
At fifth position, the French Navy also is one of the world’s most powerful naval forces and has a significant overseas presence. It is capable of conducting expeditionary missions globally.
One of the most advanced and powerful aircraft carrier outside of the United States Navy is owned by France – The Charles de Gaulle. However it is France’s only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
But to add to its fleet, France also has four Le Triomphant class strategic missile submarines (SSBNs). The French Navy has multi-role frigates that can perform anti-submarine warfare, land attacks, and integrate with allied operations. The French Navy also has around 19 patrol ships.
The French Navy’s headquarters are in Brest, Île Longue, and Toulon, with secondary headquarters in Cherbourg and Lorient.
With the above world powers controlling majority of the waters on the globe, there are some other players too like the Indonesian Navy, navy of the Republic of Korea, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, British Royal Navy, Turkish Navy, and Italian Navy.
Undeniably, these navies too play an important role, however, the rules of the seas and oceans are unarguably only set by the above global fives and it is them who will continue to control trade, safety and tourism in the international waters in 2025.
United Kingdom
The Royal Navy of United Kingdom is the sixth most powerful navy in the world. It has advanced aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines, and a range of surface vessels that has global presence. The UK Navy claims on its website that 50% of the UK’s food and fuel is imported by sea, and 97% of their data is transferred under it, so protecting the seas is critical to keeping UK citizens fed and connected.
Japan
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is the 7th most powerful navy in the world with a global presence. Japan claims the JMSDF has three main goals: Defend Japan’s territory and surrounding areas, Secure the safety of maritime traffic, Create desirable security environment.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea Navy is the 8th powerful navy in the world. It claims, ‘from a navy with no proper naval assets to becoming a world-class navy that operates cutting-edge technology, the ROK Navy has achieved the unimaginable based on the unfaltering support from our nation and people.’
Italian Navy
Sea legacy still continues with Italian Navy. It is also called Marina Militare and equipped with modern technology with global presence. According to its official website, ‘it contributes to the protection of the Euro-Atlantic region together with the NATO, it responds to international crisis and it carries out specific tasks in case of an emergency, natural disasters, or exceptional events.’
Turkish Navy
The Turkish Navy plays a key role in West Asia and regional maritime security. It has developed three warships in 2025 based on domestic design- diesel-electric submarine MİLDEN, TF-2000 (powered by a CODOG propulsion system) and Gökdeniz.2025 Rankings: The 10 Most Powerful Navies in the World
