Navy comparison: 
Iran vs 
Saudi Arabia
Iran's 143-ship navy outnumbers Saudi Arabia's 37 vessels (3.9:1 advantage). Of these, 112 and 30 are in active service respectively.
SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
IranWorld #45
17.2
SEAS Index / 100
Saudi Arabia leads overall, ahead on 3 of 7 categories
Saudi ArabiaWorld #37
19.0
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Bars: weighted contribution to the SEAS Index (hulls × category weight) · figures: active hulls at each side's latest inventory year · Methodology
Key figures as of 2026
| Iran | Saudi Arabia | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official name | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy | Royal Saudi Navy | |
| Total ships | 143 | 37 | 🇮🇷 3.9× |
| Active ships | 112 | 30 | 🇮🇷 3.7× |
| On order / planned | 0 | 5 | 🇸🇦 |
| Submarines | 2 | 0 | 🇮🇷 |
| Principal surface combatants | 0 | 7 | 🇸🇦 |
| Amphibious ships | 9 | 0 | 🇮🇷 |
Show full breakdown · 5 more rowsHide the 5 extra rows
| Corvettes | 0 | 9 | 🇸🇦 |
| Patrol boats | 46 | 9 | 🇮🇷 5.1× |
| Mine warfare | 1 | 3 | 🇸🇦 3.0× |
| Coastal boats | 15 | 0 | 🇮🇷 |
| Auxiliaries | 39 | 2 | 🇮🇷 20× |
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇮🇷 IranKilo-class ×2
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more naval ships, Iran or Saudi Arabia?
Iran has a larger navy with 143 ships compared to Saudi Arabia's 37 ships.
Which navy has more submarines, Iran or Saudi Arabia?
Iran operates more submarines with 4 compared to Saudi Arabia's 0.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, Iran or Saudi Arabia?
Iran has 1 aircraft carrier(s) compared to Saudi Arabia's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, Iran or Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia operates 11 frigates compared to Iran's 8.
How do the Iran and Saudi Arabia navies compare in size?
Iran's navy is 3.9 times larger than Saudi Arabia's in terms of total ships (143 vs 37).