How 43 Countries Stack Their Submarine Fleets: A Complete Breakdown episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 3, 2026 · 17 MIN

How 43 Countries Stack Their Submarine Fleets: A Complete Breakdown

from Elsewhere · host Tyler Cooper

What if the country with the world's second-largest submarine fleet isn't who you think it is? Tyla Cooper breaks down the hidden underwater arms race reshaping global power, from America's 68-sub dominance to China's lightning-fast naval expansion that caught everyone off guard. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why China built 39 new submarines in just 20 years (and what that means for Pacific tensions) • Which small country punches way above its weight with ultra-advanced diesel subs • The real reason Russia's 64 submarines aren't as scary as they look on paper • How South Korea's 22 subs could change everything in a Taiwan crisis 👤 Perfect for: anyone who wants to understand the military chess game happening beneath the ocean's surface right now. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Tyler introduces the submarine revolution most people missed [01:30] America's underwater empire: 68 subs and counting [03:45] China's submarine surge that blindsided naval experts [06:15] Russia's paper tiger problem with Soviet-era boats [08:30] South Korea's quality over quantity strategy [10:45] Why submarine warfare decides who controls the Pacific The numbers tell a wild story. America leads with 68 submarines, including 14 ballistic missile boats that each pack enough firepower to level multiple countries. But China went from 40 to 79 submarines faster than anyone predicted, and they're not stopping there. Meanwhile, Russia talks tough with 64 subs, but half are rusting Soviet leftovers that might not even make it out of port. The real surprise? Countries like South Korea are building fewer boats but making each one count with tech that puts them in the major leagues. This isn't just military trivia. These underwater fleets determine who controls shipping lanes worth trillions, who gets to intimidate neighbors, and frankly, who sleeps well at night knowing their coastline is protected. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow Elsewhere on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: submarine warfare, naval power, military technology, China military, geopolitics ---------- Keywords: geopolitics podcast, geopolitics explained, foreign policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the country with the world's second-largest submarine fleet isn't who you think it is? Tyla Cooper breaks down the hidden underwater arms race reshaping global power, from America's 68-sub dominance to China's lightning-fast naval expansion that caught everyone off guard. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why China built 39 new submarines in just 20 years (and what that means for Pacific tensions) • Which small country punches way above its weight with ultra-advanced diesel subs • The real reason Russia's 64 submarines aren't as scary as they look on paper • How South Korea's 22 subs could change everything in a Taiwan crisis 👤 Perfect for: anyone who wants to understand the military chess game happening beneath the ocean's surface right now. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Tyler introduces the submarine revolution most people missed [01:30] America's underwater empire: 68 subs and counting [03:45] China's submarine surge that blindsided naval experts [06:15] Russia's paper tiger problem with Soviet-era boats [08:30] South Korea's quality over quantity strategy [10:45] Why submarine warfare decides who controls the Pacific The numbers tell a wild story. America leads with 68 submarines, including 14 ballistic missile boats that each pack enough firepower to level multiple countries. But China went from 40 to 79 submarines faster than anyone predicted, and they're not stopping there. Meanwhile, Russia talks tough with 64 subs, but half are rusting Soviet leftovers that might not even make it out of port. The real surprise? Countries like South Korea are building fewer boats but making each one count with tech that puts them in the major leagues. This isn't just military trivia. These underwater fleets determine who controls shipping lanes worth trillions, who gets to intimidate neighbors, and frankly, who sleeps well at night knowing their coastline is protected. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow Elsewhere on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: submarine warfare, naval power, military technology, China military, geopolitics ---------- Keywords: geopolitics podcast, geopolitics explained, foreign policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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How 43 Countries Stack Their Submarine Fleets: A Complete Breakdown

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This episode was published on July 3, 2026.

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What if the country with the world's second-largest submarine fleet isn't who you think it is? Tyla Cooper breaks down the hidden underwater arms race reshaping global power, from America's 68-sub dominance to China's lightning-fast naval expansion...

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