Navy comparison: China vs Iran
China's 1036-ship navy outnumbers Iran's 97 vessels (11:1 advantage). Of these, 1023 and 97 are in active service respectively. The fleet breakdown includes 73 vs 6 submarines, 3 vs 1 aircraft carriers, 58 vs 0 destroyers, 47 vs 7 frigates, 50 vs 9 corvettes, 107 vs 24 amphibious ships, 94 vs 21 patrol boats, 58 vs 1 mine warfare ships (China vs Iran). China's navy is officially the People's Liberation Army Navy, while Iran's is the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy.
People's Liberation Army Navy 🇨🇳
| Official Name | People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Total ships | 1036 as of 2025 |
| Active ships | 1023 as of 2025 |
| Naval Ensign |
|
Islamic Republic of Iran Navy 🇮🇷
| Official Name | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy |
| Total ships | 97 as of 2025 |
| Active ships | 97 as of 2025 |
| Naval Ensign |
|
Chinese ships by category
| Ship category | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Submarines | 73 | |
| Aircraft carriers | 3 | |
| Destroyers | 58 | |
| Cruisers | 0 | |
| Frigates | 47 | |
| Corvettes | 50 | |
| Coastal boats | 0 | |
| Patrol boats | 94 | |
| Amphibious ships | 107 | |
| Mine Warfare ships | 58 | |
| Cargo ships | 27 | |
| Support ships | 468 | |
| Other ships | 51 | |
Iranian ships by category
| Ship category | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Submarines | 6 | |
| Aircraft carriers | 1 | |
| Destroyers | 0 | |
| Cruisers | 0 | |
| Frigates | 7 | |
| Corvettes | 9 | |
| Coastal boats | 0 | |
| Patrol boats | 21 | |
| Amphibious ships | 24 | |
| Mine Warfare ships | 1 | |
| Cargo ships | 0 | |
| Support ships | 17 | |
| Other ships | 11 | |
Ship Categories Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more naval ships, China or Iran?
China has a larger navy with 1,036 ships compared to Iran's 97 ships.
Which navy has more submarines, China or Iran?
China operates more submarines with 73 compared to Iran's 6.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, China or Iran?
China has 3 aircraft carrier(s) compared to Iran's 1.
Which navy has more destroyers, China or Iran?
China operates 58 destroyers compared to Iran's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, China or Iran?
China operates 47 frigates compared to Iran's 7.
How do the China and Iran navies compare in size?
China's navy is 10.7 times larger than Iran's in terms of total ships (1,036 vs 97).