There has been some discussion of this of late.
(Tier 1)
USN
(Tier 2)
UK ( three carriers, adequate surface combatants, SSNs, SSBNs and good amphibious, logistics and mine warfare ships)(could move down if downsizing continues and new ship/aircraft construction doesnt come to fruition)
France(one carrier)( otherwise same as above but modernization plans mostly well in hand)
Russia(one carrier)( otherwise same as above but financial constraints pose serious risks to the Russian Fleet)(Submarine fleet remains ace in the hole)
(Tier 3)
Japan(no carriers, SSNs, SSBNs but excellent modern forces otherwise in relatively large #s)(Would move up with carriers, SSNs/SSBNs thes are not beyond their means but taboo politically and socially)
India(two carriers but older)(Could move up if Fleet modernization plans move forward in a timely manner)(no SSNs or SSBNs)
China(no carriers)( otherwise same as above as relates to modernization)(have SSNs and one SSBN)
(Tier 4)(All have a small carrier, Italy two, one is under construction)(well balanced fleets)
Italy(excellent all around forces)(lack #s and SSNs/SSBNs)(modernizing)
Spain(same as above)
Brazil(only reason here is they have a carrier w/o it would move down to Tier 5B)
(Tier 5A)(For the most part very modern ships and balanced fleets)
The Netherlands(lack #s, carriers, SSNs, SSBNs but forces are very modern)
Germany(same as above)
Austailia(same as above but once again modernization plans must move forward)
Canada(same as above but lack modernization plans and funding)
S. Korea(same as above and are in the midst of modernization)
(Tier 5B)(These countries have same limitations as above plus their ships are a mix of older and newer but in some cases less capable ships than above although Taiwan and Turkey have many more surface combatants #s wise)
Taiwan
Turkey
Greece
Tiers 6A, 6B, 6C are navies in flux. But I thought some type of breakdown was necessary. 6A navies are on the cutting edge of technology but #s are closer to 6C which are modern compared to 6B in general.(Notable exception is Pakistan and Chiles new build SSKs.)
(Tier 6A)(These countries are modernizing but have ships in far fewer #s than above, SSK are modern )
Sweden
Norway
Denmark(no SSKs but building modern surface combatants may acquire modern SSKs)
S.Africa
(Tier 6B)(These countries have older ships although especially in the case of Pakistan have good SSKs)(Have generally a couple more vessels than above.)
Chile
Pakistan
Peru
Venezuela
Indonesia
(Tier 6C)(few ships mostly quite modern except Thailand but they do have a small carrier)(are not far behind the above navies and in somes areas superior)
Thailand(no SSKs)
Argentina(vessels are newer than in Tier 6B but has similar #s although many are much smaller than those above)
Iran(lack adequate surface combatants)
Singapore(ex-Swedish SSKs)(building six new modern frigates)
Malaysia(buying SSKs)
Saudi Arabia(no SSKs but very modern surface combatants)
Israel(lack adequate surface combatants)
Portugal
Colombia
Egypt(A real mixed bag. Like Argentina it could easily be in 6B as here)
(Tier 7)(A mixed bag of older and in some cases modern ships most have no SSks )(even fewer in #s than above)
New Zealand
Bahrain
UAE
Poland
Romania
Ukraine
Mexico
Algeria
Libya
Ecuador
Bangladesh
Morrocco
Bulgaria
Oman
Algeria
Bulgaria
Uruquay
Thats the USN and the next 53. Did I leave anyone out? Do I have them in the right category?
Edited with some commentary.
Some navies are difficult to pigeon hole. Its a challenge to assess and ascertain relative combat values. #s, mixes , ages, maintenance, upgrades, capablities and sizes of platforms along with personnel training and experience which of course are all subject to budget constraints all enter in. Much subjectiveness to weigh and then come up with a reasonably objective measure.
Am willing to answer specific questions in addition to general ones..
(Tier 1)
USN
(Tier 2)
UK ( three carriers, adequate surface combatants, SSNs, SSBNs and good amphibious, logistics and mine warfare ships)(could move down if downsizing continues and new ship/aircraft construction doesnt come to fruition)
France(one carrier)( otherwise same as above but modernization plans mostly well in hand)
Russia(one carrier)( otherwise same as above but financial constraints pose serious risks to the Russian Fleet)(Submarine fleet remains ace in the hole)
(Tier 3)
Japan(no carriers, SSNs, SSBNs but excellent modern forces otherwise in relatively large #s)(Would move up with carriers, SSNs/SSBNs thes are not beyond their means but taboo politically and socially)
India(two carriers but older)(Could move up if Fleet modernization plans move forward in a timely manner)(no SSNs or SSBNs)
China(no carriers)( otherwise same as above as relates to modernization)(have SSNs and one SSBN)
(Tier 4)(All have a small carrier, Italy two, one is under construction)(well balanced fleets)
Italy(excellent all around forces)(lack #s and SSNs/SSBNs)(modernizing)
Spain(same as above)
Brazil(only reason here is they have a carrier w/o it would move down to Tier 5B)
(Tier 5A)(For the most part very modern ships and balanced fleets)
The Netherlands(lack #s, carriers, SSNs, SSBNs but forces are very modern)
Germany(same as above)
Austailia(same as above but once again modernization plans must move forward)
Canada(same as above but lack modernization plans and funding)
S. Korea(same as above and are in the midst of modernization)
(Tier 5B)(These countries have same limitations as above plus their ships are a mix of older and newer but in some cases less capable ships than above although Taiwan and Turkey have many more surface combatants #s wise)
Taiwan
Turkey
Greece
Tiers 6A, 6B, 6C are navies in flux. But I thought some type of breakdown was necessary. 6A navies are on the cutting edge of technology but #s are closer to 6C which are modern compared to 6B in general.(Notable exception is Pakistan and Chiles new build SSKs.)
(Tier 6A)(These countries are modernizing but have ships in far fewer #s than above, SSK are modern )
Sweden
Norway
Denmark(no SSKs but building modern surface combatants may acquire modern SSKs)
S.Africa
(Tier 6B)(These countries have older ships although especially in the case of Pakistan have good SSKs)(Have generally a couple more vessels than above.)
Chile
Pakistan
Peru
Venezuela
Indonesia
(Tier 6C)(few ships mostly quite modern except Thailand but they do have a small carrier)(are not far behind the above navies and in somes areas superior)
Thailand(no SSKs)
Argentina(vessels are newer than in Tier 6B but has similar #s although many are much smaller than those above)
Iran(lack adequate surface combatants)
Singapore(ex-Swedish SSKs)(building six new modern frigates)
Malaysia(buying SSKs)
Saudi Arabia(no SSKs but very modern surface combatants)
Israel(lack adequate surface combatants)
Portugal
Colombia
Egypt(A real mixed bag. Like Argentina it could easily be in 6B as here)
(Tier 7)(A mixed bag of older and in some cases modern ships most have no SSks )(even fewer in #s than above)
New Zealand
Bahrain
UAE
Poland
Romania
Ukraine
Mexico
Algeria
Libya
Ecuador
Bangladesh
Morrocco
Bulgaria
Oman
Algeria
Bulgaria
Uruquay
Thats the USN and the next 53. Did I leave anyone out? Do I have them in the right category?
Edited with some commentary.
Some navies are difficult to pigeon hole. Its a challenge to assess and ascertain relative combat values. #s, mixes , ages, maintenance, upgrades, capablities and sizes of platforms along with personnel training and experience which of course are all subject to budget constraints all enter in. Much subjectiveness to weigh and then come up with a reasonably objective measure.
Am willing to answer specific questions in addition to general ones..
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