From US's Gerald R Ford To India's INS Vikrant: Countries With Powerful Warships, Naval Prowess
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India's INS Vikrant stands among some of the best warships in the world including US's Gerald R Ford and Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class Frigate.
India is among the top five countries in the world with the best warships and maritime strength. INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, signifies a major milestone in naval autonomy. Vikrant stands among some of the best warships in the world including US's Gerald R Ford and Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class Frigate.
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing officers and sailors onboard INS Vikrant off the Goa coast, commended Indian Navy's 'silent service" during Operation Sindoor, India's precision strikes against terror sites in Pakistan. 'Our Western Fleet ships deployed at sea, within 96 hours of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, carried out successful firings of surface-to-surface & surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes on the western & eastern coast. It demonstrated the combat readiness of our platforms, systems & crew and our intent & readiness, forcing the enemy to come into a defensive posture," he said.
Warships are central to a nation's maritime dominance and global military projection. In the current geopolitical landscape, certain countries have emerged as leaders in naval power by developing technologically advanced, heavily armed, and strategically capable warships. We asked ChatGPT which of these are among the top warships in the world. Meanwhile, the 2025 Global Firepower rankings also shows navies that dominate the world with their fleet and strength.
1. United States
Warship
With its key warship USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78), US Navy holds dominance in naval warfare. It has the largest fleet of aircraft carriers, advanced destroyers, and submarines. The USS Gerald R Ford is known to be the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world, featuring an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), improved radar, and reduced crew requirements.
Navy Fleet And Strength
The US Navy is widely regarded as the most powerful naval force globally, boasting the largest total tonnage of warships at over 4.16 million tonnes. The US fleet includes 472 ships and submarines, with 64 submarines, 11 aircraft carriers, 75 destroyers, and 23 corvettes.
2. China
Warship
China boasts of its key warship Type 055 Renhai-class Destroyer. The Type 055 destroyers are among the largest and most heavily armed surface combatants in the world, equipped with 112 vertical launch systems (VLS). China operates three carriers, including the domestically built Fujian (Type 003), with advanced catapult systems.
Navy Fleet And Strength
China has rapidly modernised its naval fleet and is now the largest navy in terms of ship numbers. In the 2025 Global Firepower ranking, China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ranks second in total tonnage with about 2.86 million tonnes and possesses the largest fleet by number of vessels, totaling around 700 ships. The Chinese fleet includes a significant number of destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and submarines, with the country also investing heavily in aircraft carriers and amphibious warfare ships.
3. Russia
Warship
Russia's key warships are the Admiral Gorshkov-class Frigate. These multirole warships are designed to replace older Soviet-era vessels and provide the Russian Navy with a highly capable, flexible platform for blue-water and littoral operations. They are equipped with hypersonic missiles like the Zircon, as well as Kalibr cruise missiles.
Navy Fleet And Strength
Russia maintains a formidable naval presence with a total tonnage of approximately 1.26 million tonnes and a fleet of 419 vessels. It ranks third on the 2025 Global Firepower ranking. Drawing from its Soviet-era strength, Russia continues to innovate with modular frigates and updated missile systems. The Russian Navy's fleet includes nuclear submarines, cruisers, and destroyers, with a focus on strategic deterrence and regional power projection.
4. Japan
Warship
Japan's Izumo-class Helicopter Destroyer is among the world's top warships. It incorporates cutting-edge US Aegis combat systems, and is being converted to carry F-35B stealth fighters, enhancing Japan's power projection. Originally built to operate rotary-wing aircraft, the Izumo-class can deploy SH-60K Seahawk helicopters for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), MCH-101 for minesweeping and transport, UH-60J for search and rescue missions and AEW (airborne early warning) helicopters in the future.
Navy Fleet And Strength
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force ranks fourth in total tonnage with about 770,000 tonnes and fields 155 ships, including 23 submarines and 36 destroyers. Japan's diesel-electric submarines, such as the Soryu and Taigei classes, are among the quietest in the world.
5. India
Warship
India's INS Vikrant (IAC-1) is the first indigenously built aircraft carrier. Vikrant can carry and operate MiG-29K multirole naval fighters, Kamov Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters, MH-60R Seahawks for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), HAL Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and potential future indigenous fighters like TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter).
Navy Fleet And Strength
India ranks fifth in total naval tonnage with 593,603 tonnes and sixth in fleet size with 293 vessels. The Indian Navy is rapidly modernizing, incorporating aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, and submarines. The Visakhapatnam-class destroyers come equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and advanced sensors. With its central position in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy plays a crucial role in maritime security in Asia.
The strength of a nation's navy is not only measured by the size of its fleet but also by its technological sophistication, strategic doctrine, and global deployment capabilities. While the United States maintains clear supremacy, countries like India and Russia are rapidly evolving.
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New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 04, 2025, 08:00 IST
News explainers From US's Gerald R Ford To India's INS Vikrant: Countries With Powerful Warships, Naval Prowess
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