North American Perspective on IVF-24 Global Naval Rankings
Russia continues to occupy third place in the global military shipbuilding index IVF-24, trailing China and the United States. This ranking reflects the overall strength of naval construction and fleet capacity among the world’s leading powers, with North American interests closely watching shifts in eastern and northern fleets.
The index rose to 12,516 points from 11,084, signaling a steady pace in Russia’s shipbuilding program and its implications for regional defense posture. The trend suggests ongoing commitment to expanding surface ships and submarines to sustain a credible maritime presence in key theaters.
Experts anticipate that momentum in Russia’s military shipbuilding will not slow significantly in the near term, with continued investments across hulls, propulsion, and combat systems that align with evolving naval doctrine and strategic priorities in the region.
China remains first in world military shipbuilding. By the end of 2023, the score stood at 17,025 points, compared with 21,212 in 2022. In 2023, the country built more warships than in 2022, recording 17 ships built versus 20, while total standard displacement was notably lower, around 70,000 tonnes compared with roughly 103,000 tonnes in 2022. This dynamic highlights a shift toward higher efficiency and newer classes rather than sheer tonnage growth.
The United States ranks second. At the end of 2023, the United States totaled 15,461 points, down slightly from 15,598 in 2022. The country produced 14 warships in 2023, compared with 17 in 2022, and the average displacement remained smaller as well, about 66,000 tonnes versus 71,000 tonnes in 2022. The data underscores a continued modernization cycle focused on advanced platforms and sustainment over sheer fleet size.
In 2024, the Russian Navy announced the addition of 30 new ships and submarines to its fleet, underscoring ongoing modernization and expansion across surface and underwater platforms. These acquisitions align with broader strategic aims to bolster deterrence, multi-domain operations, and regional presence in critical maritime corridors.
Public discussions about the future of Russia’s armed forces have emphasized modernization, readiness, and sustained investment in new-generation ships, submarines, and support infrastructure. The move is framed within broader defense planning that considers alliance logistics, regional security commitments, and rapid response capabilities, particularly in theaters of interest to North American stakeholders and allied partners.