Top 10 countries with the most submarines in 2025

Global economies rely significantly on maritime trade, and submarines play a role in defending crucial sea routes.

Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 countries with the most submarines in 2025
This list is courtesy of Global Firepower.
The United States ranks number 1 on the list.

Submarines have always been predominant in naval combat, information collection, and strategic deterrence.

Their stealthy operation beneath the ocean’s surface makes them one of the most formidable tools in military arsenals across the planet.

Submarines are critical components of modern maritime strategy, serving both national security and commercial goals.

The contribution submarines make to national security is among their most important functions. An integral part of a nation’s nuclear deterrent policy is nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).

In the event of a nuclear war, these submarines can stay below for months, making them almost untraceable and guaranteeing a second strike capability.

Advanced sonar, radar, and electronic warfare technologies on submarines allow them to carry out secret intelligence missions.

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They also serve as data collection systems as they are able to intercept conversations and keep an eye on enemy activity.

Chinese nuclear-powered submarines have evolved over decades from problem-plagued classes to formidable assets like the Type 094 ballistic missile boat. MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AFP via Getty Images

The capacity to collect intelligence is essential for both proactive defense plans and national security.

Furthermore, submarines are essential for combating enemy submarines, much as they are for offensive operations.

In this area of naval defense, attack submarines with torpedoes and anti-submarine missiles are essential.

Not only are submarines useful for the military, but they also advance science. They are employed in ocean floor mapping, deep-sea exploration, and the research of underwater ecosystems.

Improved exploration and military applications are being made possible by developments in submarine technology, such as unmanned submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

With that said, here are the countries in the world with the most submarines in 2025, according to Global Firepower.