GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Navy comparison: Flag of Japan Japan vs Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia

Japan's 158-ship navy outnumbers Saudi Arabia's 37 vessels (4.3:1 advantage). Of these, 158 and 30 are in active service respectively.

SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Naval ensign of Japan JapanWorld #4 61.7
SEAS Index / 100

Japan leads on 6 of 8 categories

Naval ensign of Saudi Arabia Saudi ArabiaWorld #37 19.0
  • 2 Aircraft carriersweight ×200 0
  • 42 Destroyersweight ×50 0
  • 23 Submarinesweight ×45 0
  • 10 Frigatesweight ×30 7
  • 0 Corvettesweight ×15 9
  • 3 Amphibiousweight ×12 0
  • 18 Mine warfareweight ×5 3
  • 6 Patrol boatsweight ×2 9
  • 11 Support shipsnot scored 2
  • 43 Other shipsnot scored 0
Japan 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
Japan Saudi Arabia Ratio
Official name Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Royal Saudi Navy
Total ships 158 37 🇯🇵 4.3×
Active ships 158 30 🇯🇵 5.3×
On order / planned 0 5 🇸🇦
Submarines 23 0 🇯🇵
Principal surface combatants 52 7 🇯🇵 7.4×
Aircraft carriers 2 0 🇯🇵
Amphibious ships 3 0 🇯🇵
Show full breakdown · 4 more rowsHide the 4 extra rows
Corvettes 0 9 🇸🇦
Patrol boats 6 9 🇸🇦 1.5×
Mine warfare 18 3 🇯🇵 6.0×
Auxiliaries 54 2 🇯🇵 27×
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇯🇵 JapanIzumo-class ×2Sōryū-class ×12Murasame-class ×9
🇸🇦 Saudi ArabiaAl Madinah-class ×4Avante 2200-class ×5
Explore this matchup
Go deeper · same matchup, other lenses
Military strength Air forces Armies Wargame simulator
Change opponent
Japan vsUnited StatesChinaSouth KoreaIndiaTurkey
Saudi Arabia vsUnited StatesIranTaiwanPakistanIsrael

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more naval ships, Japan or Saudi Arabia?
Japan has a larger navy with 158 ships compared to Saudi Arabia's 37 ships.
Which navy has more submarines, Japan or Saudi Arabia?
Japan operates more submarines with 23 compared to Saudi Arabia's 0.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, Japan or Saudi Arabia?
Japan has 2 aircraft carrier(s) compared to Saudi Arabia's 0.
Which navy has more destroyers, Japan or Saudi Arabia?
Japan operates 42 destroyers compared to Saudi Arabia's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, Japan or Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia operates 11 frigates compared to Japan's 10.
How do the Japan and Saudi Arabia navies compare in size?
Japan's navy is 4.3 times larger than Saudi Arabia's in terms of total ships (158 vs 37).