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5. Japanese Maritime Force
4. Indian NavyA bit of a surprise of an entry, the Japanese Maritime Force makes it to the middle spot in the largest navy countdown. After having any standing military forces disassembled after World War Two, Japan was allowed to have forces for use in self-defense. Among these is the 109 ship strong JMF, which while mostly maintaining the defense of Japan and nearby waters, has seen some foreign action as well. Primarily, the JMF has been deployed as auxiliary support in naval exercises alongside allies, or as direct protection of merchants near the Somali coast. As a result of the latter, Japan has been considering the formation of a permanent naval base in the nearby country of Djibouti as a means of deterring kidnappings and thefts.
3. Chinese People’s Liberation NavyAlready one of the largest naval forces on the planet, India’s navy has plans to only expand. Somewhat unique on this list, the Indian Navy’s vessels are a mixture of foreign and domestic manufacturing, including a Russian Aircraft Carrier, multiple German Submarines, American Heavy Transports, and Israeli Patrol Boats. That being said, this is likely to change in the coming decades as India has put significant funding into the research and manufacturing of new vessels, particularly those with stealth capabilities. With over 120 active ships, the Indian Navy is involved with many peacekeeping operations around the world, and is also one of the very few military branches in the world to have both voyaged to the North Pole (with the blessing and help of Greenland) as well as had an expedition to Mount Everest.
2. Russian NavyWith a force nearly double that of the Indian Navy, the People’s Liberation Navy is huge by any standard. This is doubly impressive, as this navy has only within the last three years began to transition from a “green-water” navy (which carries operations primarily near domestic harbors and those ocean waters immediately surrounding it) to a “blue-water” (operational at a global level) one. Among the vessels are over 50 Assault Submarines and 51 frigates, making their underwater fleet second in the world in terms of size.
1. United States NavyThe runner up for the largest navy in the world goes to the long time superpower, Russia. Nearly half the fleet has been rearmed or improved upon, as a result of major investment since 2014, as well as an implied need due to the Ukrainian Conflict. While most of the naval forces of Russia are focused in the Baltic, performing support operations for the Syrian government, or engaging in anti-piracy in Somali waters, ships bearing the flag of the Russian Federation have been seen in support roles for the Venezuelan military. Likewise there have been multiple reports of Russian submarines skirting the Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.
Topping the list for largest navies in the world, the United States has over 300 ships available for deployment at any point in time. With 60 Destroyers, 100 Patrol Vessels, and 53 Submarines, this navy has seen deployment around the globe, for both combat and humanitarian aid missions. Divided into 6 distinct fleets, the USN often works alongside NATO member forces and advises allied militaries when not in active combat operations, including the aforementioned Korean Navy. With a personnel count of nearly 500,000, this navy is also among the most well-staffed.
