Submarine Fleet Strength by Country, Compared

Summary

This video script explores the strategic significance of the world's 471 known military submarines, categorized by country. It highlights the importance of submarines in global power dynamics, showcasing their roles in defense and power projection. The script delves into the differences between small and large navies, the capabilities of diesel versus nuclear submarines, and the strategic implications of submarines equipped with nuclear warheads. Special attention is given to the submarine forces of key nations like the U.S., Russia, China, and India, emphasizing the technological advancements and the balance of power in the modern naval landscape.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The global power dynamics are shifting, and submarines represent significant ocean power with 471 known military submarines worldwide.
• 🚤 Most countries have small submarine fleets, with less than a dozen submarines, primarily for protection and power projection.
• 🔍 Smaller submarines are designed to be invisible, offering a strategic advantage by lurking and spying without being detected.
• ⛽ Diesel-powered submarines have limitations, needing to surface regularly for oxygen to recharge batteries, making them less effective than nuclear-powered ones.
• 🔋 Nuclear submarines can stay underwater indefinitely, except for the need to resupply food and supplies for the crew.
• 💣 Some submarines, like those of Israel, are believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads, adding a strategic layer to their defense capabilities.
• 🛠️ Germany is a notable submarine producer, building and exporting advanced submarines worldwide, including to Australia.
• 🔝 As we move to more powerful navies, submarines become larger, more advanced, and capable of long-range operations with nuclear energy.
• 🔥 India has submarines powered by nuclear energy capable of launching rockets with nuclear warheads, and is expanding its fleet with modern-attack submarines.
• 🏴󠁿 North Korea has an unknown but potentially large fleet of submarines, which could number up to 85, posing a strategic challenge.
• 🚀 The 'big three' navies—China, Russia, and the United States—use their submarines to project power globally, with significant advancements in stealth and nuclear capabilities.
• 🇺🇸 The United States has the most powerful submarine force globally, with all 68 submarines nuclear-powered, capable of carrying a vast array of weapons, including nuclear warheads.

Q & A

How many known military submarines are there globally?

There are 471 known military submarines globally.

What is the significance of submarines in terms of global power dynamics?

Submarines represent ocean power and are crucial for countries to protect their territories and project power, especially in the context of shifting global power dynamics.

Why do smaller countries want submarines?

Smaller countries want submarines to enhance their naval capabilities. Even having one submarine provides a significant advantage due to their stealth and ability to lurk and spy, making the enemy assume they could be anywhere.

What is the main limitation of diesel-powered submarines compared to nuclear-powered ones?

Diesel-powered submarines need to surface periodically to run their engines and charge the batteries, making them less effective than nuclear-powered submarines, which can stay underwater indefinitely except for the need to resupply food and supplies for the crew.

How does Israel's submarine fleet differ from other smaller navies?

Israel's submarine fleet is unique because it has modern submarines capable of staying underwater for up to a week without needing to take in oxygen, making them stealthier. Additionally, it is believed that some of Israel's submarines can launch missiles with nuclear warheads, although this is officially denied by Israel.

What is the strategic significance of Australia's deal with the UK and US for new submarines?

The deal signifies Australia's move towards having more advanced, nuclear-powered submarines, which is part of the US's effort to strengthen its alliances and project power in China's neighborhood.

What is the advantage of having a nuclear reactor on board a submarine?

A nuclear reactor allows the submarine to silently patrol the seas for extended periods, travel long distances, and project power in strategic regions without needing to surface for air, making it a game changer for submarine capabilities.

Why are Greece and Turkey's submarine fleets similar in number?

Both Greece and Turkey have similar numbers of submarines because securing their waters is of strategic importance to them, and they both have submarines that can stay underwater longer than typical diesel subs due to less oxygen requirement.

What is the current state of India's submarine fleet and its future plans?

India currently has at least two nuclear-powered submarines capable of launching rockets with nuclear warheads. They are working on increasing the range of these rockets and building a fleet of at least six modern-attack submarines for quicker support to their nuclear-armed submarines.

How does the United States maintain its position as the most powerful submarine force in the world?

The United States maintains its position through having all 68 of its submarines powered by nuclear energy, possessing a significant number of attack submarines, and having 14 submarines capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads with long-range capabilities. The US also has a strategic nuclear deterrent with submarines lurking around the world's oceans.