U.S. Dominates NATO Naval Power Ranking While Iceland Holds Zero Warships

"The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, more familiarly known as NATO, is an organization currently comprised of 32 countries and formed following World War II. The group promotes democracy and provides collective defense for all member countries. Sweden is the newest country to join the organization, and with its membership, Sweden brings additional military might to the group. They may not possess the largest or most advanced military, but Sweden's navy is modern and capable."

"There is one country in NATO that has no military and thus no navy, and that country is Iceland. This nation never established a naval force; however, it does have a Coast Guard with patrol vessels and helicopters that perform defense and maritime security duties. Without a formal navy, Iceland relies on the collective defense guarantee should any need arise. A few other countries in NATO are completely landlocked and have no need for a navy as well."

"To identify the NATO countries with the most military ships and submarines, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Countries were ranked on the total number of military ships and submarines in their fleet. We included supplemental information regarding submarines, aircraft carriers, destroyers, corvettes, patrol vessels, and frigates, as well as each country's overall military strength score."

NATO comprises 32 countries that promote democracy and provide collective defense. Sweden recently joined NATO and contributes additional military capability through a modern navy of patrol vessels, submarines, and corvette-class warships despite lacking aircraft carriers. Rankings of NATO naval strength use the 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, which covers 145 countries. Countries were ranked by total military ships and submarines with supplemental data on carriers, destroyers, corvettes, patrol vessels, and frigates plus overall military strength scores. Iceland has no formal navy but operates a Coast Guard; several members are landlocked and lack navies. Global Firepower counts include tiny patrol craft and auxiliary boats, which can inflate vessel totals and overstate effectiveness.

Read at 24/7 Wall St.