Submarine Fleet Strength by Country, Compared
Summary
TLDRThis 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.
Outlines
🌍 Global Military Submarines Overview
This paragraph introduces a visual representation of the world's known military submarines, categorized by country. It emphasizes the strategic importance of submarines in global power dynamics, highlighting their role in both defense and power projection. The narrator discusses the varying sizes of submarine fleets among 43 countries, with a focus on smaller nations using submarines for stealth and deterrence. The limitations of diesel-powered submarines are contrasted with the advantages of nuclear-powered ones, which can stay submerged indefinitely. A brief mention of a related video on submarine technology and history is made, followed by an acknowledgment of the video's sponsor, NordVPN, which is highlighted for its internet security features.
🛳️ Submarines of Smaller and Regional Navies
The second paragraph delves into the strategic uses of submarines by smaller and regional navies, such as Israel, Germany, and Australia. Israel's modern submarines, capable of extended underwater operations and rumored nuclear capabilities, serve as a deterrent against regional threats like Iran. Germany's submarines are noted for their export and technological prowess, while Australia's future acquisition of advanced nuclear submarines from the US is discussed in the context of strengthening alliances in the Asia-Pacific region. The paragraph also covers the transition from diesel to nuclear-powered submarines in terms of power projection and the unique capabilities of certain submarines to carry nuclear warheads.
💥 Nuclear Submarines and Global Power Projection
This paragraph discusses the significance of nuclear-powered submarines in global power projection, particularly focusing on the navies of France, Britain, Greece, Turkey, India, Iran, and North Korea. The capabilities of nuclear submarines to silently patrol seas and carry out long-range missions are underscored. India's development of nuclear-armed submarines and plans for a modern attack submarine fleet are highlighted. Iran's large number of diesel and mini submarines for coastal defense is mentioned, as is North Korea's unknown but sizable submarine fleet. The narrative then shifts to the 'big three' navies—China, Russia, and the United States—emphasizing their use of submarines for power projection and strategic deterrence.
🇺🇸 The Dominance of US Submarine Force
The final paragraph outlines the dominance of the US submarine force, which is both numerically and technologically superior. It details the capabilities of US nuclear-powered attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines, which form the backbone of the country's nuclear deterrent. The paragraph also discusses the US's strategic advantage in tracking and countering potential threats from Chinese submarines. The development of new submarines by China and Russia, and their efforts to close the technological gap, are mentioned. The paragraph concludes with the US's ongoing initiative to build new submarines to maintain its global naval supremacy.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Military submarines
💡Ocean power
💡Diesel submarines
💡Nuclear submarines
💡Submarine fleet
💡Stealth
💡Nuclear deterrence
💡Strategic application
💡NordVPN
💡Poseidon
💡Global superpower
Highlights
The global submarine fleet consists of 471 known military submarines, representing ocean power and strategic importance.
Most countries possess small submarine fleets, with less than a dozen submarines, primarily for coastal defense and stealth operations.
Submarines are essential for a country's naval strategy, providing invisibility and the element of surprise in military engagements.
Diesel-powered submarines have limitations due to the need for oxygen to recharge their batteries, making them less effective than nuclear-powered ones.
Nuclear submarines can stay underwater indefinitely, except for the need to resurface for crew supplies, offering superior stealth and endurance.
Israel's submarines are modern and some are capable of staying underwater for up to a week, potentially equipped with nuclear warheads.
Germany is a significant submarine builder and exporter, with six powerful long-range submarines and a history of selling submarines globally.
Australia is set to acquire advanced nuclear-powered submarines from the US as part of strengthening alliances in the region.
Nuclear submarines enable long-range patrols and power projection without the need to surface, a significant advantage in naval warfare.
Greece and Turkey maintain similar numbers of submarines to secure their waters, with some capable of extended underwater operations.
India has submarines powered by nuclear energy and is developing a fleet of modern-attack submarines to support their nuclear-armed subs.
Iran has a significant number of diesel-powered submarines and mini submarines for patrolling oil-rich coastal waters.
North Korea's submarine fleet is large but its functionality is uncertain, with some submarines capable of launching nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.
China is rapidly expanding its submarine fleet, with plans to include new nuclear-powered submarines capable of launching ballistic and cruise missiles.
Russia has the second-largest submarine fleet, with half powered by nuclear energy and capable of launching nuclear weapons.
The United States has the most powerful submarine force globally, with all submarines nuclear-powered and capable of carrying a vast number of nuclear warheads.
The US is building 12 new massive submarines to replace aging nuclear-armed subs, ensuring its dominance in submarine technology and strategy.
Transcripts
- This is every military submarine on earth,
at least the ones we know about.
I've separated them out by each country.
"Whoever rules the waves rules the world,"
is a saying that rings especially true in recent years
as global power dynamics are shifting before our eyes.
Submarines represent ocean power.
So today, let's look at the 471 known military submarines
and which countries they belong to, both big and small.
I want to do this so that we can see
how countries use these vessels
not only to protect their country,
but also to project power.
(thumping music)
Of the 43 countries that have subs,
most just have small fleets, less than a dozen.
By the way, experts argue about these numbers.
If you wanna see our methodology here,
you can go to our sources link in the description
to explore country by country,
how we got these numbers and specs.
And yes, these submarines are to scale.
These smaller countries want submarines
for slightly different reasons than the big countries.
For these small navies,
having even one submarine is a major level up
because submarines are designed to be invisible,
to lurk and spy and be ready to attack at any moment.
Their great advantage is that your enemy has no idea
where they are.
So they have to assume that they could be anywhere.
These submarines are also much smaller
than the ones we'll see later on
when we get to the big navies,
and almost all of them have a massive limitation,
which is that they're powered by diesel engines
that need oxygen to run.
This means that the submarine has to go
to the surface every so often to run these loud engines
to charge the batteries on the sub
before diving back down again.
This makes these submarines less effective
than nuclear-powered submarines that we'll see later.
These submarines could stay underwater basically forever.
That is, if they didn't have humans aboard
that needed to come to the surface for food and supplies.
I made a whole video about the fascinating technology
and history of submarines if you want to learn more.
But let's keep going.
Hey, I know this visual is very satisfying,
and I'm gonna keep showing it to you,
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It helps support the channel.
Thank you, NordVPN, for sponsoring today's video.
I appreciate it.
And with that, let's look at some more submarines.
(thrilling music)
Strategically, the submarines in these smaller navies
are meant to patrol and protect a country's coastal waters,
the ocean close by,
making anyone think twice before attacking that country,
though we're arriving
at a bit of an exception to this, Israel.
Israel currently has five very modern submarines,
two of which can stay underwater for up to a week
without needing to take in oxygen,
making them stealthier than the older diesel models
and allowing them to travel up to 4,500 kilometers.
And while all of the subs we've seen so far carry
smaller weapons like torpedoes,
or anti-ship missiles, or mines,
Israel's submarines can shoot
missiles loaded with nuclear warheads.
At least that's what the US government believes
and has said, even though Israel denies all of this.
Israel uses these submarines as defense
against the many enemies they have
in their region, like Iran,
hoping that these nuclear-armed submarines would make
Iran think twice before ever striking Israel first.
By the way,
those Israeli submarines are being purchased from Germany,
a country that is coming up here soon.
(piano music)
Germany has six super-powerful,
long-range submarines of their own,
but they also build and export submarines
all over the world.
Here we have Australia,
which has a relatively small fleet of diesel submarines.
But this is gonna change soon,
thanks to a historic deal with the UK and US.
Australia will soon have
super-advanced, nuclear-powered submarines.
They're buying this from the United States.
This is all a part of the US's effort
of arming and strengthening its alliances
in China's neighborhood.
By the way,
this is where you'll start to see us
moving into more powerful navies.
These navies use their submarines
not just to protect their coastline and coastal waters,
but to project power in their region.
So you'll start to see bigger
and more advanced diesel submarines,
but we'll also start to see submarines
that run on nuclear energy,
like these French and British subs.
These submarines have a nuclear reactor on board
that breaks apart atoms
and creates an immense amount of energy
that heats up water and powers the submarine.
It could do this basically forever
without having to go to the surface for air.
This process also makes oxygen and drinkable water
for the sailors.
Having a nuclear reactor on board is a game changer for subs
because it allows them to silently patrol the seas,
traveling long distances and projecting power
to regions that are important to them.
Here come the fleets of Greece and Turkey.
They have a similar number of subs
because both countries see
securing their water as very important.
And while they don't have nuclear power plants on board,
both countries have subs that don't require as much oxygen
as typical diesel subs,
allowing them to stay under water for much longer.
This is also where you start to see submarines
that are equipped with the most powerful weapons of all.
(missile rumbles)
India currently has at least two submarines that,
as far as we know, are not only powered by nuclear energy,
but can also launch rockets with nuclear warheads on them.
They have a range of around 700 kilometers.
And they're working on two more,
which could potentially increase that range
to more like 3,500 kilometers.
They're also planning to build a fleet
of at least six modern-attack submarines that are quicker,
and that are meant to accompany
and support to these nuclear armed subs.
Though it's hard to know the full picture
because a lot of the details
from the Indian army are kept secret,
if you want,
you can look at my sources
for more details on this reporting.
Here comes Iran.
They don't have nuclear capabilities on their submarines,
but they do have a lot of subs,
these 4 big diesel-powered submarines,
and at least 15 of these mini subs.
They use these to patrol their coastal waters
through which a lot of valuable oil flows.
(bright music)
We've got six countries left.
And this is where things get really big, really fast.
Here are two countries that have a lot in common.
Both are high-tech economies,
both are close friends with the United States.
Both are deeply reliant on the ocean.
And crucially, both countries are surrounded
by rival countries with strong navies.
One of those neighbors is the hermit kingdom of North Korea.
We don't know how big North Korea's fleet is
for obvious reasons.
Experts think they could have as many as 85 submarines.
But here I'm gonna visualize a more conservative estimate
of 36 submarines.
A lot of this info is gleaned
by satellite imagery on naval bases like this one.
But regardless of the specific number,
we do know that it's a pretty big submarine fleet.
It rivals some of the great powers,
at least in terms of numbers.
But experts disagree about how functional
all of these subs really are.
Some of these boats are at least 50 years old.
It has around eight diesel subs
capable of long-range patrols.
And then they have these two. They're diesel powered.
And even though they can't stay underwater
for more than just a few days,
they do have the ability
to shoot four ballistic missiles
armed with nuclear warheads,
with a likely range that could easily reach Japan
or even Guam and Hawaii, a part of the United States.
Now, we're moving into the big three navies,
the countries that use their subs
to project power at each other and around the world.
China has 58 submarines.
Six of these subs are capable of firing rockets
with nuclear weapons.
And six more are attack submarines
powered by nuclear energy.
But the majority of China's submarines are still
the older diesel-powered kind, but not for long.
What China's rivals see when they look at this fleet is
more like this.
In the next six years,
China's fleet will include
at least five new nuclear-powered subs.
Two of them are gonna be able to launch ballistic missiles
with nuclear weapons on them.
And three of them will be able to launch cruise missiles.
They're even getting Russia's help
to build a new extra quiet,
extra stealthy ballistic missile sub
that the US is worried about,
because it'll be nearly impossible for them to track.
They're doing this in part as a response
to the US selling this submarine technology to Australia.
But it's also a part of China's bigger goal
of being a global superpower like the US
who can project power to every ocean in the world.
This will be difficult for them,
first and foremost because the US
and its allies have created
a chain of military installations here in the Pacific.
This allows them to track Chinese submarines
trying to leave the region.
But it will also be difficult
because China lags quite a bit behind the US
when it comes to creating stealthy submarines.
It's a gap that they are working hard to close.
Russia has the second largest fleet, 62 submarines in total.
We've just made a massive leap.
This fleet is a huge step up from China's.
Half of the fleet is powered by nuclear energy.
And 12 of these subs can launch nuclear weapons,
something that they remind the world of
by conducting these tests that show off their subs,
launching these rockets,
obviously without the nukes on board,
these other subs are attack submarines,
which are quick, hard to track.
They can launch missiles with a range of 600 kilometers
that are precise and able to hit a land-based target
on the east coast of the United States
if they were here in the Atlantic Ocean.
And this gets to a really important use of submarines
at this level,
their ability to lurk around the globe.
Russia quietly sends its nuclear-armed subs to key regions
that puts their enemies and rivals in range.
It's a part of their nuclear deterrent,
the threat that if they're attacked,
they have the capability to strike back with nukes.
And no one can know exactly from where.
In recent years,
Russia shocked the world
by unveiling this long-range,
nuclear-powered torpedo called Poseidon.
It can travel 185 kilometers an hour underwater.
And it can hit targets as far away as 1,000 kilometers.
Oh, and it apparently carries a 100-megaton nuclear warhead
that can create a radioactive tsunami.
We're not 100% sure how much of this is real
and how much is Russian propaganda.
But it just goes to show you
how crazy our advanced technology is becoming here.
Okay, we've made it to number one, the United States,
which unambiguously is the most powerful submarine force
in the world, not just by numbers, but by capability.
All 68 of these subs are powered by nuclear energy.
Most of these are attack submarines,
which are smaller and quicker.
They're meant for battle with their torpedoes and sea mines
and shorter range weapons,
like these four submarines can each be loaded up
with 154 cruise missiles,
missiles that have a range of 1,000 kilometers
and are very precise.
Then we get to these 14 subs, which are huge.
You can really see it when you look at them
out of the water.
These submarines can carry up to 24 missiles,
each of them capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads.
These things can travel up to 12,000 kilometers,
which is nearly a third the earth's circumference.
And at any given moment,
8 of these are lurking around the world's oceans,
carrying some 720 nuclear warheads between them,
and no one knows where.
And that's the whole point.
They're a foundational part of the US's nuclear deterrent.
A constant reminder
that attacking the US could easily provoke a response
from one of these hidden subs.
This is what controlling the ocean really looks like.
And it's one of the ways
that the US has maintained its place
as the most powerful country on earth.
To keep this position, in 2020,
the US started building 12 new massive submarines
to replace these 14 aging nuclear-armed subs.
They'll be completed in 2042.
So those are the world submarines
and a little bit about their strategic application.
There's so much more to cover
about submarines and naval strategy.
So please tell me what questions you have
or what else I should cover on this topic in the future.
Thanks for watching.
(thrilling music)
(thrilling music continues)
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