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Navy comparison: Flag of United Kingdom United Kingdom vs Flag of Portugal Portugal

United Kingdom's 163-ship navy outnumbers Portugal's 46 vessels (3.5:1 advantage). Of these, 62 and 34 are in active service respectively.

SEAS (Sea Equipment Aggregate Strength) Index face-off Full ranking →
Naval ensign of United Kingdom United KingdomWorld #6 42.5
SEAS Index / 100

United Kingdom leads on 6 of 7 categories

Naval ensign of Portugal PortugalWorld #37 12.8
  • 2 Aircraft carriersweight ×200 · size, era 0
  • 6 Destroyersweight ×50 · size, era 0
  • 10 Submarinesweight ×45 · size, era 2
  • 5 Frigatesweight ×30 · size, era 5
  • 2 Amphibiousweight ×12 · size, era 0
  • 7 Mine warfareweight ×5 · size, era 0
  • 26 Patrol boatsweight ×2 · size, era 19
  • 3 Support shipsnot scored 4
  • 1 Other shipsnot scored 4
United Kingdom Portugal 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
United Kingdom Portugal Ratio
Official name Royal Navy Portuguese Navy
Total ships 163 46 🇬🇧 3.5×
Active ships 62 34 🇬🇧 1.8×
On order / planned 16 12 🇬🇧 1.3×
Submarines 10 2 🇬🇧 5.0×
Principal surface combatants 11 5 🇬🇧 2.2×
Aircraft carriers 2 0 🇬🇧
Amphibious ships 2 0 🇬🇧
Show full breakdown · 3 more rowsHide the 3 extra rows
Patrol boats 26 19 🇬🇧 1.4×
Mine warfare 7 0 🇬🇧
Auxiliaries 4 8 🇵🇹 2.0×
Backbone classes one per tier held
🇬🇧 United KingdomQueen Elizabeth-class ×2Astute-class ×6Daring-class ×6
🇵🇹 PortugalType 214-class ×2Vasco da Gama-class ×3
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has more naval ships, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom has a larger navy with 163 ships compared to Portugal's 46 ships.
Which navy has more submarines, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom operates more submarines with 15 compared to Portugal's 2.
Which country has more aircraft carriers, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom has 2 aircraft carrier(s) compared to Portugal's 0.
Which navy has more destroyers, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom operates 6 destroyers compared to Portugal's 0.
Which navy has more frigates, United Kingdom or Portugal?
United Kingdom operates 18 frigates compared to Portugal's 8.
How do the United Kingdom and Portugal navies compare in size?
United Kingdom's navy is 3.5 times larger than Portugal's in terms of total ships (163 vs 46).