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Navy comparison: Flag of Iran Iran vs Flag of North Korea North Korea

North Korea's 421-ship navy outnumbers Iran's 142 vessels (3.0:1 advantage). Of these, 112 and 391 are in active service respectively.

SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Naval ensign of Iran IranWorld #57 6.9
SEAS Index / 100

North Korea leads on 6 of 8 categories

Naval ensign of North Korea North KoreaWorld #25 17.9
  • 0 Destroyersweight ×50 · size, era 2
  • 2 Submarinesweight ×45 · size, era 21
  • 0 Frigatesweight ×30 · size, era 2
  • 0 Corvettesweight ×15 · size, era 9
  • 9 Amphibiousweight ×12 · size, era 0
  • 1 Mine warfareweight ×5 · size, era 0
  • 46 Patrol boatsweight ×2 · size, era 187
  • 15 Coastal boatsweight ×1 · size, era 170
  • 16 Support shipsnot scored 0
  • 23 Other shipsnot scored 0
Iran North Korea 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
Iran North Korea Ratio
Official name Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Korean People's Army Naval Force
Total ships 142 421 🇰🇵 3.0×
Active ships 112 391 🇰🇵 3.5×
On order / planned 0 2 🇰🇵
Submarines 2 21 🇰🇵 10×
Principal surface combatants 0 4 🇰🇵
Amphibious ships 9 0 🇮🇷
Show full breakdown · 5 more rowsHide the 5 extra rows
Corvettes 0 9 🇰🇵
Patrol boats 46 187 🇰🇵 4.1×
Mine warfare 1 0 🇮🇷
Coastal boats 15 170 🇰🇵 11×
Auxiliaries 39 0 🇮🇷
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇮🇷 IranKilo-class ×2
🇰🇵 North KoreaRomeo-class ×20Choe Hyon-class ×2Najin-class ×2
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Iran vsIsraelUnited StatesSaudi ArabiaIndonesiaUnited Arab Emirates
North Korea vsSouth KoreaUnited StatesTaiwanVietnamSaudi Arabia

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more naval ships, Iran or North Korea?
North Korea has a larger navy with 421 ships compared to Iran's 142 ships.
Which navy has more submarines, Iran or North Korea?
North Korea operates more submarines with 22 compared to Iran's 4.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, Iran or North Korea?
Iran has 1 aircraft carrier(s) compared to North Korea's 0.
Which navy has more destroyers, Iran or North Korea?
North Korea operates 4 destroyers compared to Iran's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, Iran or North Korea?
Iran operates 8 frigates compared to North Korea's 2.
How do the Iran and North Korea navies compare in size?
North Korea's navy is 3.0 times larger than Iran's in terms of total ships (421 vs 142).