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Navy comparison: Flag of Australia Australia vs Flag of Japan Japan

Japan's 103 warships outnumber Australia's 42 (2.5:1 advantage). Counting auxiliaries, reserve and non-commissioned hulls, the fleets number 60 and 158.

SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Naval ensign of Australia AustraliaWorld #15 23.2
SEAS Index / 100

Japan leads on 5 of 8 categories

Naval ensign of Japan JapanWorld #4 50.6
  • 0 Aircraft carriersweight ×200 · size, era 2
  • 3 Destroyersweight ×50 · size, era 42
  • 6 Submarinesweight ×45 · size, era 22
  • 7 Frigatesweight ×30 · size, era 10
  • 3 Amphibiousweight ×12 · size, era 3
  • 2 Mine warfareweight ×5 · size, era 18
  • 20 Patrol boatsweight ×2 · size, era 6
  • 1 Unmannedweight ×2 · size, era 0
  • 2 Support shipsnot scored 11
  • 14 Other shipsnot scored 44
Australia Japan Bars: weighted contribution to the SEAS Index (hulls × category weight × size, era and propulsion factors, minor vessels capped at 30 % of the combatant points; the air-wing, sustainment, armament and availability multipliers apply on top) · figures: active hulls at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
Australia Japan Ratio
Official name Royal Australian Navy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Total ships 60 158 🇯🇵 2.6×
Active ships 58 158 🇯🇵 2.7×
On order / planned 16 19 🇯🇵 1.2×
Submarines 6 22 🇯🇵 3.7×
Principal surface combatants 10 52 🇯🇵 5.2×
Aircraft carriers 0 2 🇯🇵
Amphibious ships 3 3 —
Show full breakdown · 3 more rowsHide the 3 extra rows
Patrol boats 20 6 🇦🇺 3.3×
Mine warfare 2 18 🇯🇵 9.0×
Auxiliaries 16 55 🇯🇵 3.4×
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇦🇺 AustraliaCollins-class ×6Hobart-class ×3Anzac-class ×7
🇯🇵 JapanIzumo-class ×2Sōryū-class ×12Murasame-class ×9
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more naval ships, Australia or Japan?
Japan has a larger navy with 103 warships in service compared to Australia's 42.
Which navy has more submarines, Australia or Japan?
Japan operates more submarines with 22 compared to Australia's 6.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, Australia or Japan?
Japan has 2 aircraft carrier(s) compared to Australia's 0.
Which navy has more destroyers, Australia or Japan?
Japan operates 42 destroyers compared to Australia's 3.
Which navy has more frigates, Australia or Japan?
Japan operates 10 frigates compared to Australia's 7.
How do the Australia and Japan navies compare in size?
Japan's navy is 2.5 times larger than Australia's in terms of total ships (103 vs 42).