Global Naval Powers Ranking: A recent naval ranking has raised questions about the naval power of several major countries. Let's explore how Russia lagged behind China in this list.

The world's most powerful navy

The World Directory of Modern Warships and Submarines (WDMMW) has released a new ranking of the world's major navies. This ranking is based not just on ship counts, but on a "true value rating." This means that more than just the number of ships a country possesses, it's more important to consider how modern those ships are, how effective they are in combat, and how much threat they pose in the long term. Why did Russia, considered the second most powerful country, lag behind China in the navy list? And how did India fall out of the top 5? Let's find out.

Why is America still number one?

The US Navy remains at the top of this ranking, primarily due to its global presence and 11 aircraft carriers. America possesses carrier strike groups that can rapidly deploy to any sea area in the world. Additionally, its advanced submarines, missile defense systems, and experienced naval infrastructure continue to give it an edge over other nations. 

How did China reach second place?

China's navy, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), ranked second in this ranking. China has been rapidly expanding its naval fleet over the past few years. According to the US Department of Defense's 2024 report, China has over 370 ships and submarines, making it the world's largest navy by number. China currently has three aircraft carriers, work is underway on a fourth, and the goal is to have nine carriers by 2035. This rapid growth and modernization have placed China ahead of Russia.

Why did Russia slip to third place?

Russia ranks third in this ranking. Russia's navy cannot be considered weak, but its strength is of a different nature. Russia possesses nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines and modern nuclear attack submarines. Its ships are equipped with hypersonic Zircon and Kalibr cruise missiles, which can engage targets from afar.

Nevertheless, Russia lags behind China because its surface fleet is limited and the number of new warships is not increasing as rapidly as China's. According to the WDMMW, Russia's forces are more complex and submarine-based, while China's are balanced and widely dispersed.

Why is India out of the top 5?

India's exclusion from the top five in this ranking comes as a surprise to many. India's navy plays a vital role in the Indian Ocean region, but the True Value rating places some Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, higher than India. This is due to the rapid modernization of their fleets and the presence of state-of-the-art destroyers and submarines.