10 largest submarine fleets in the world

Each year, countries spend billions of dollars on its military. Army, Air Force and Navy receive generous amounts of funding to maintain the existing level of combat readiness, developing and purchasing new models of weapons. Over the past few centuries, world powers quickly realized the importance and necessity of the Navy. Being not only a symbol of power and wealth, a strong navy can project power, to be used as a political tool, to protect the commercial line and bring its troops anywhere in the world.

For many people one of the most important and universal components of their fleets is a submarine. The first submarine was built in the 17 th century. Over the next several hundred years, the submarine has gone a long series of evolutions, significantly improved their mobility, practicality, mortality and overall ability. Today submarines - is a formidable force that terrifies the probable opponent. Today we look at the 10 largest submarine fleets in the world. This list is built on the total number of diesel-electric and nuclear submarines at the state.

South Korea - 14 submarines

starts the list submarine fleet in South Korea. Republic of Korea Navy currently has a fleet of 14 diesel-electric submarines. Currently, 12 of these submarines are German submarine Type 209 and Type 214, while the two midget submarines built in Korea. Small boats Type 214 has eight torpedo tubes and the ability to fire anti-ship missiles and mines.

Turkey - 14 submarines

All submarines of the Turkish Navy are diesel-electric boats and belong to the German version of Type 209. These submarines are among the most exported types. At a cost of about 290 million. Dollars, Type 209 has the ability to shoot anti-ship missiles "Harpoon". Starting next year, the Turkish Navy plans to replace the Type 209 more modern German diesel-electric submarines of Type 214.

Israel - 14 submarines

When you think of naval power, then at least Israel is not exactly come to mind. From a military point of view, most people see Israel as a land power. And yet we know that the Israeli navy currently has 14 submarines (although most online sources report lower figures). The most famous are here Dolphin boats. Built in Germany in 1998, Dolphin-class submarines are diesel-electric, they are able to bear and carry fire to Israeli nuclear weapons.

Japan - 16 submarines

Today underwater forces of Japan consist of diesel-electric submarines. The oldest one was built in 1994. The latest Japanese submarine boats are Soryu class. They are designed with the latest technology, have a range of 11,000 kilometers and can shoot missiles, torpedoes and mines.

India - 17 submarines

At the present time, the vast majority of submarine forces of India consists of a diesel-electric submarine, built on the Russian and German shipyards. These vessels have allowed India to show its strength in the coastal waters and in the Indian Ocean over the last 25 years. More recently, measures have been taken to create India's nuclear submarine fleet. Rent in the Russian submarine class Akula and the development of India's nuclear weapons program - are clear signs that India would like to significantly expand the capabilities of its submarine fleet. Given the time and costs associated with the establishment of nuclear-powered submarines, it is likely the diesel-electric boats will remain the backbone of the Indian Navy in the next few years.

Iran - 31 submarine

No, it's not a typo, Iran is now really has the fifth largest submarine fleet in the world. Over the past few years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has started the development of new surface ships and submarines. Submarine forces have been, and remain largely concentrated on coastal operations and operations in the Persian Gulf area. The most modern submarines - three diesel-electric boats of Russian-made Kilo class. Built in the 1990s, these subs provide Iran the ability to patrol more than 11,000 kilometers and represent a real threat to any naval forces approaching the Iranian coast.

Russia - 63 U-boats

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the Soviet Navy, like most Soviet military forces received inadequate funding and maintenance. Over the past few years, this situation has changed, Russia is seeking to reform and modernize its armed forces. Russian Navy's submarine fleet is one of the branches of the armed forces who have benefited from this reform. Russia has about 30 nuclear submarines. Now actively building new submarines, probably submarine forces of the Russian Navy will be able to quickly seize its position in this list in the coming years.

China - 69 submarines

In the past 30 years, China's military forces have been massive program of expansion and modernization. In addition to the land and air forces, the submarine fleet has undergone substantial development in order to enhance functionality. At present, China has about 50 diesel-electric submarines, which form the basis of the submarine fleet. In addition, China as a nuclear deterrent has several nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles.

US - 72 U-boats

Underwater force the US Navy to the surprise not the first on this list. However, even though America has the second largest submarine fleet in the world, though, perhaps, they have the most powerful submarine fleet. Currently, the vast majority of US submarines are nuclear power, which means that when performing operations in the ocean are limited only by the amount of food and water. Currently, the most numerous class submarines Los Angeles, because of which about 40 are in operation. Built between 1970 and 1990, sub-class Los Angeles costs about $ 1 billion, has a displacement of about 7,000 tons, can dive to a depth of over 300 meters. Currently, however, the United States began to replace these boats during the Cold War, the new and more modern submarines, the Virginia class value of about 2, 7 bln. Dollars.

North Korea - 78 submarines

Navy Koreyskoyya People's Army occupies the first place on this list, having in its composition of 78 submarines. All DPRK submarines are diesel-electric, and all of them with a displacement of less than 1800 tonnes. The potential danger of this power was demonstrated in 2010 when a small 130-ton Yono class submarine sank a South Korean corvette Cheonan. Nevertheless, North Korea's submarine boats is largely considered obsolete. The basic amount of the submarine fleet consists of old Soviet-era submarines and small coastal homemade submarines. Small North Korean submarines are very good ability to operations in shallow basins and riverbeds. During the war, they can be used for mining, reconnaissance in enemy harbors and transport of special forces to enemy shores.