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

North Korea's 391 warships outnumber Israel's 49 (8.0:1 advantage). Counting auxiliaries, reserve and non-commissioned hulls, the fleets number 52 and 420.

SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Naval ensign of Israel IsraelWorld #28 16.9
SEAS Index / 100

North Korea leads on 5 of 6 categories

Naval ensign of North Korea North KoreaWorld #26 18.0
  • 0 Destroyersweight ×50 · size, era 2
  • 6 Submarinesweight ×45 · size, era 21
  • 0 Frigatesweight ×30 · size, era 2
  • 7 Corvettesweight ×15 · size, era 9
  • 28 Patrol boatsweight ×2 · size, era 181
  • 8 Coastal boatsweight ×1 · size, era 176
  • 3 Support shipsnot scored 1
  • 0 Other shipsnot scored 1
Israel 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
Israel North Korea Ratio
Official name Israeli Navy Korean People's Army Naval Force
Total ships 52 420 🇰🇵 8.1×
Active ships 52 393 🇰🇵 7.6×
On order / planned 3 3 —
Submarines 6 21 🇰🇵 3.5×
Principal surface combatants 0 4 🇰🇵
Show full breakdown · 4 more rowsHide the 4 extra rows
Corvettes 7 9 🇰🇵 1.3×
Patrol boats 28 181 🇰🇵 6.5×
Coastal boats 8 176 🇰🇵 22×
Auxiliaries 3 2 🇮🇱 1.5×
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇮🇱 IsraelDolphin-class ×6Sa'ar 6-class ×4
🇰🇵 North KoreaRomeo-class ×20Choe Hyon-class ×2Najin-class ×2
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Israel vsIranUnited StatesTurkeySaudi ArabiaPakistan
North Korea vsSouth KoreaUnited StatesTaiwanVietnamSaudi Arabia

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more naval ships, Israel or North Korea?
North Korea has a larger navy with 391 warships in service compared to Israel's 49.
Which navy has more submarines, Israel or North Korea?
North Korea operates more submarines with 21 compared to Israel's 6.
Which navy has more destroyers, Israel or North Korea?
North Korea operates 2 destroyers compared to Israel's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, Israel or North Korea?
North Korea operates 2 frigates compared to Israel's 0.
How do the Israel and North Korea navies compare in size?
North Korea's navy is 8.0 times larger than Israel's in terms of total ships (391 vs 49).