Navy comparison:
United Kingdom vs
Portugal
United Kingdom's 58 warships outnumber Portugal's 26 (2.2:1 advantage). Counting auxiliaries, reserve and non-commissioned hulls, the fleets number 143 and 34.
SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
SEAS Index / 100
United Kingdom leads on 6 of 7 categories
United Kingdom
Portugal
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
| United Kingdom | Portugal | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | Royal Navy | Portuguese Navy | |
| Total ships | 143 | 34 | 🇬🇧 4.2× |
| Active ships | 62 | 34 | 🇬🇧 1.8× |
| On order / planned | 23 | 12 | 🇬🇧 1.9× |
| Submarines | 10 | 2 | 🇬🇧 5.0× |
| Principal surface combatants | 11 | 5 | 🇬🇧 2.2× |
| Aircraft carriers | 2 | 0 | 🇬🇧 |
| Amphibious ships | 2 | 0 | 🇬🇧 |
Show full breakdown · 3 more rowsHide the 3 extra rows
| Patrol boats | 26 | 19 | 🇬🇧 1.4× |
| Mine warfare | 7 | 0 | 🇬🇧 |
| Auxiliaries | 4 | 8 | 🇵🇹 2.0× |
Backbone classes one per tier held
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more naval ships, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom has a larger navy with 58 warships in service compared to Portugal's 26.
Which navy has more submarines, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom operates more submarines with 10 compared to Portugal's 2.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom has 2 aircraft carrier(s) compared to Portugal's 0.
Which navy has more destroyers, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom operates 6 destroyers compared to Portugal's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom and Portugal both operate 5 frigates.
How do the United Kingdom and Portugal navies compare in size?
United Kingdom's navy is 2.2 times larger than Portugal's in terms of total ships (58 vs 26).