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Navy comparison: Flag of Germany Germany vs Flag of United States United States

United States's 228 warships outnumber Germany's 45 (5.1:1 advantage). Counting auxiliaries, reserve and non-commissioned hulls, the fleets number 72 and 467.

SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Naval ensign of Germany GermanyWorld #11 26.1
SEAS Index / 100

United States leads on 6 of 9 categories

Naval ensign of United States United StatesWorld #1 100.0
  • 0 Aircraft carriersweight ×200 · size, era 11
  • 0 Cruisersweight ×80 · size, era 7
  • 0 Destroyersweight ×50 · size, era 77
  • 6 Submarinesweight ×45 · size, era 64
  • 11 Frigatesweight ×30 · size, era 0
  • 6 Corvettesweight ×15 · size, era 27
  • 0 Amphibiousweight ×12 · size, era 38
  • 12 Mine warfareweight ×5 · size, era 4
  • 10 Patrol boatsweight ×2 · size, era 0
  • 20 Support shipsnot scored 2
  • 7 Other shipsnot scored 2
Germany United States 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
Germany United States Ratio
Official name German Navy United States Navy
Total ships 72 467 🇺🇸 6.5×
Active ships 72 232 🇺🇸 3.2×
On order / planned 23 81 🇺🇸 3.5×
Submarines 6 64 🇺🇸 11×
Principal surface combatants 11 84 🇺🇸 7.6×
Aircraft carriers 0 11 🇺🇸
Amphibious ships 0 38 🇺🇸
Show full breakdown · 4 more rowsHide the 4 extra rows
Corvettes 6 27 🇺🇸 4.5×
Patrol boats 10 0 🇩🇪
Mine warfare 12 4 🇩🇪 3.0×
Auxiliaries 27 4 🇩🇪 6.8×
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇩🇪 GermanyType 212-class ×6Baden-Württemberg-class ×4Braunschweig-class ×6
🇺🇸 United StatesNimitz-class ×10Virginia-class ×26Arleigh Burke-class ×75
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more naval ships, Germany or United States?
United States has a larger navy with 228 warships in service compared to Germany's 45.
Which navy has more submarines, Germany or United States?
United States operates more submarines with 64 compared to Germany's 6.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, Germany or United States?
United States has 11 aircraft carrier(s) compared to Germany's 0.
Which navy has more destroyers, Germany or United States?
United States operates 77 destroyers compared to Germany's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, Germany or United States?
Germany operates 11 frigates compared to United States's 0.
How do the Germany and United States navies compare in size?
United States's navy is 5.1 times larger than Germany's in terms of total ships (228 vs 45).