Seven countries with the largest submarine fleets in 2026

The United States and Russia lead the world with the largest submarine fleets, each possessing 66 vessels. China follows closely with 61 submarines, demonstrating the fastest fleet expansion globally. Iran, North Korea, Japan, and South Korea round out the top seven with fleets ranging from 22 to 25 submarines. Submarine construction is at a Cold War-era pace, with several nations developing new nuclear programs, potentially altering future fleet rankings.