Navy comparison: North Korea vs South Africa
North Korea's 385-ship navy outnumbers South Africa's 49 vessels (7.9x advantage). The fleet breakdown includes 73 vs 3 submarines, 2 vs 4 frigates, 123 vs 0 corvettes, 187 vs 33 patrol boats, 0 vs 2 mine warfare ships (North Korea vs South Africa). North Korea's navy is officially the Korean People's Army Naval Force, while South Africa's is the South African Navy.
Korean People's Army Naval Force 🇰🇵
| Official Name | Korean People's Army Naval Force |
| Total ships | 385 as of 2025 |
| Active ships | 385 as of 2025 |
| Naval Ensign |
|
South African Navy 🇿🇦
| Official Name | South African Navy |
| Total ships | 49 as of 2025 |
| Active ships | 49 as of 2025 |
North Korean ships by category
| Ship category | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Submarines | 73 | |
| Aircraft carriers | 0 | |
| Destroyers | 0 | |
| Cruisers | 0 | |
| Frigates | 2 | |
| Corvettes | 123 | |
| Coastal boats | 0 | |
| Patrol boats | 187 | |
| Amphibious ships | 0 | |
| Mine Warfare ships | 0 | |
| Cargo ships | 0 | |
| Support ships | 0 | |
| Other ships | 0 | |
South African ships by category
| Ship category | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Submarines | 3 | |
| Aircraft carriers | 0 | |
| Destroyers | 0 | |
| Cruisers | 0 | |
| Frigates | 4 | |
| Corvettes | 0 | |
| Coastal boats | 0 | |
| Patrol boats | 33 | |
| Amphibious ships | 0 | |
| Mine Warfare ships | 2 | |
| Cargo ships | 0 | |
| Support ships | 7 | |
| Other ships | 0 | |
Ship Categories Radar Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has more naval ships, North Korea or South Africa?
North Korea has a larger navy with 385 ships compared to South Africa's 49 ships.
Which navy has more submarines, North Korea or South Africa?
North Korea operates more submarines with 73 compared to South Africa's 3.
Which navy has more frigates, North Korea or South Africa?
South Africa operates 4 frigates compared to North Korea's 2.
How do the North Korea and South Africa navies compare in size?
North Korea's navy is 7.9 times larger than South Africa's in terms of total ships (385 vs 49).