The Swiftest Naval Warships Around the Globe: Ranked from Slowest to Fastest

After a massive oversight last month caused North Korea’s much-awaited warship to capsize on launch, the country has successfully righted the ship and repaired the damage. The 5,000-ton Kang Kon, which is a Choe Hyon-class destroyer, underwent weeks of repair under the guidance of Kim Jong Un, who was none too pleased with the massive […] The post The Swiftest Naval Warships Around the Globe: Ranked from Slowest to Fastest appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Jun 17, 2025 - 13:38

The Swiftest Naval Warships Around the Globe: Ranked from Slowest to Fastest

After a massive oversight last month caused North Korea’s much-awaited warship to capsize on launch, the country has successfully righted the ship and repaired the damage. The 5,000-ton Kang Kon, which is a Choe Hyon-class destroyer, underwent weeks of repair under the guidance of Kim Jong Un, who was none too pleased with the massive error. The short turnaround time highlights the country’s readiness to prove its naval accomplishments. The North Koreans have also announced plans to build two new destroyers by 2026.

Naval fleets have long been critical to the world’s economic system while also protecting nations’ defenses. (See the countries with the largest naval fleets.) 24/7 Wall St. compiled a list of the fastest naval warships around the globe. To create our list, we used data from Modern Warships & Submarines compiled by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We ranked warship classes based on top speeds and only included ships that are currently in service with top speeds of over 41 miles per hour. We’ve also included supplemental information about the year the ship entered service, personnel, displacement, and which navies employ these ships (via Military Factory.)

Vessels on the list are currently in active service from countries around the world, such as the U.S., China, Russia, Iran, India, Turkey, and South Korea. While the U.S. has the highest number of ships on the list, China boasts the swiftest ship. China’s type 726 landing craft, air-cushioned amphibious vessel can reach an impressive 92.1 miles per hour (80 knots).

On the other hand, the U.S.’ fastest ship is the Sea Fighter-class littoral combat ship with a top speed of 63.3 miles per hour (55 knots). The Sea Fighter represents a new, more flexible type of warship in the U.S. Navy, meant for speed and agility, rather than the more conventional large battleships of the past. This modern ship can get closer to shore and operate on stealthier missions. (These are the oldest ships and submarines still operating in the U.S. Navy.)

This post was updated June 17, 2025 to include news of the relaunch of North Korea’s warship.

Why This Matters

Moored warships on the background of the American flag. American fleet. Naval forces of the United States. The Navy of America. Equipment of the American army. Protecting America's water borders.

The world’s largest and most technologically advanced navies protect their nation’s maritime interests and can also show a force of power in the ocean, all while staying in international waters. Today’s newest warships need to factor in the need for speed and agility with the use of heavy armor and weapons. This result means the most useful navy ship may not be the swiftest.

Here are the fastest military ships and submarines in the world: