Countries with the Largest Active Submarine Fleets 2025

About This Dataset

Countries ranked by the number of active military submarines in service in 2025 according to Global Firepower and IISS Military Balance data. The United States and Russia operate the world's largest submarine forces, though China has been rapidly expanding its submarine fleet as part of broader naval modernisation. AI-assisted data.

✨ AI Insight

The data reveals a stark contrast between the leading nations and those with smaller fleets, with China, the U.S., and Russia collectively commanding a formidable presence in submarine warfare. China's rapid expansion, with a fleet of 79 submarines, suggests a focused investment in naval power, likely driven by regional tensions and aspirations for greater influence in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, North Korea, with 36 submarines, maintains a notable presence, despite its smaller size compared to the top three. The gap between these leaders and laggards like Iran (29), South Korea (22), and India (18) indicates varying levels of military prioritization and technological advancement across different regions.

Source: Global Firepower

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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China leads with 79 in 2025.

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Average value in 2025: 42 · median: 33.

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Gap in 2025: China is 4.4× larger than India.