Three African countries operate military submarines today: Algeria, Egypt and South Africa. Algeria has the largest and most modern force, with six Russian-built Kilo-class diesel-electric boats. Egypt operates four German Type 209/1400mod submarines delivered between 2016 and 2021, plus some older Chinese-built Romeo-class boats of uncertain status. South Africa has three German Type 209/1400 Heroine-class submarines, but only one was confirmed seagoing in 2026. Libya’s Soviet-supplied Foxtrot boats are no longer operational. Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco have no submarines. Nigeria has a long-standing plan and Morocco is reportedly studying options, but neither has signed a contract.
Photo: South African Navy submarine SAS Charlotte Maxeke alongside the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland, April 2014. Credit: LA(Phot) Caroline Davies/MOD, Open Government Licence v1.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
What is a military submarine?
A military submarine is a warship designed to operate submerged. Its main strength is stealth: once dived, it is hard to find, which lets a small fleet tie down a much larger surface navy. African submarines are all conventional diesel-electric boats (SSKs). They run diesel engines to charge batteries and use electric motors underwater. None uses nuclear propulsion, and none has air-independent propulsion (AIP), which lets newer designs stay submerged for weeks. Their main weapons are heavyweight torpedoes and, on Algeria’s Kilos, submarine-launched cruise missiles.
Quick answer, verified 3 November 2026
- Operators: Algeria (6), Egypt (4 modern plus older Romeos), South Africa (3, one confirmed seagoing)
- Former operators: Libya (Foxtrot class, from 1976)
- Planning or studying: Nigeria (three boats in its long-term plan), Morocco (reported evaluations, no order)
- Nuclear or AIP submarines in Africa: none
African submarine fleets
| Country | Class | Builder | Delivered | Number | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Project 877EKM Kilo | Soviet Union | 1987–1988 | 2 | In service |
| Algeria | Project 636 Improved Kilo | Russia | 2010 and 2018 | 4 | In service |
| Egypt | Type 209/1400mod | TKMS, Germany | 2016–2021 | 4 | In service |
| Egypt | Type 033 Romeo (upgraded) | China | 1982–1984 | up to 4 | Uncertain |
| South Africa | Type 209/1400MOD Heroine | Germany | 2005–2008 | 3 | 1 seagoing, 2 in refit |
| Libya | Project 641 Foxtrot | Soviet Union | 1976–1983 | 6 delivered | Not operational |
Algeria: Africa’s largest submarine force
SIPRI records two Project 877E Kilo-class boats delivered in 1987 and 1988, followed by two Project 636 boats in 2010, under a reported $400 million deal, and two more in 2018. That gives Algeria six Kilo-class submarines, the largest underwater fleet in Africa. The Project 636 boats can fire the 3M-54E1 Klub-S anti-ship missile through their 533 mm torpedo tubes. DefenceMENA describes this in Algeria’s Missile Forces Explained. Algeria’s submarine arm has trained with foreign navies: a 2009 US Navy photo shows Algeria’s submarine force commander on a US submarine trainer.
Egypt: new German boats and old Chinese ones
Egypt ordered two Type 209/1400mod submarines from Germany’s TKMS in 2012 and two more in 2014, according to SIPRI. The four boats, numbered S41 to S44, were delivered between 2016 and 2021. Shephard reported the commissioning of the final boat, and Egypt’s Ministry of Defence announced S44’s arrival in Alexandria in August 2021. Naval analyst H I Sutton, writing in Forbes in 2020, described the new boats as replacements for Egypt’s Chinese-built Romeo-class submarines. Some upgraded Romeos are still listed by naval reference sites, but their operational status is not publicly confirmed. Egypt’s submarines are armed with UGM-84L Harpoon missiles: SIPRI records 20 delivered in 2021 and 2022.
South Africa: three boats, one at sea
South Africa bought three Type 209/1400MOD submarines as part of its 1999 Strategic Defence Package. SIPRI records the deal at EUR748 million, with deliveries from 2005 to 2008. The boats are named SAS Manthatisi, SAS Charlotte Maxeke and SAS Queen Modjadji I. Budget cuts have repeatedly left them in port. In 2026, defenceWeb reported that Charlotte Maxeke and Queen Modjadji I were in the first phase of a delayed refit. In August and September 2026, the Cape Argus reported that SAS Manthatisi had been declared safe for sea, nearly three years after a fatal incident off Kommetjie in 2023. More: South African Navy ships.
Libya: a fleet that faded
SIPRI records six Project 641 (Foxtrot) submarines delivered to Libya between 1976 and 1983. The boats declined through the 1990s and 2000s amid sanctions and a lack of maintenance, and none is documented as operational today. Libya’s naval forces remain split between rival authorities.
Does Nigeria have a submarine?
No. Nigeria has never operated a submarine. The Nigerian Navy has asked for one for years. In 2017, defenceWeb reported that the then Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, had sought about $300 million for a submarine within a $1.3 billion acquisition plan. In August 2021, Military Africa reported that Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo described a long-term plan including three conventional submarines. No contract has been announced. See Nigerian Navy ships.
Does Morocco have submarines?
No. Morocco has no submarines and no confirmed order. Moroccan media, including Hespress, Le7tv and Médias24, reported in 2026 that Rabat was studying options such as France’s Scorpène and South Korea’s KSS-III. Those reports describe evaluations, not contracts. Morocco’s naval investment has so far focused on surface ships and, more recently, on uncrewed systems for mine countermeasures and anti-submarine work (Morocco’s Dutch USV deal; Morocco Navy ships).
Regional comparison
Algeria has six Kilos and Egypt four Type 209s. Between them, the two North African navies hold most of Africa’s modern submarine capacity. South Africa has the only submarine force south of the Sahara, but its availability has been low. In the wider MENA region, Iran and Israel both operate larger or more advanced fleets. Submarine ownership in Africa therefore tracks the continent’s two largest defence budgets and a third industrialised navy.
Frequently asked questions
Which African country has the most submarines?
Algeria, with six Kilo-class submarines.
How many African countries have submarines?
Three: Algeria, Egypt and South Africa.
Does any African country have nuclear submarines?
No. All African submarines are conventional diesel-electric boats.
Does Kenya have a submarine?
No. The Kenya Navy operates surface patrol ships, and DefenceMENA found no announced submarine contract.
Does South Africa still have submarines?
Yes, three Heroine-class boats. In 2026 one, SAS Manthatisi, was confirmed seagoing, and the other two were in refit.
Sources
- SIPRI Arms Transfers Database – trade registers for Algeria, Egypt, Libya and South Africa (accessed 3 November 2026)
- Shephard – Egypt commissions final Type 209/1400mod submarine
- Egyptian Ministry of Defence – arrival of submarine S44 (August 2021)
- Forbes (H I Sutton), May 2020 – New submarines spearhead the Egyptian Navy’s expanding capabilities
- defenceWeb, 2026 – Phase one of SA Navy submarine refit on track
- Cape Argus, 1 September 2026 – Navy declares SAS Manthatisi safe for sea
- defenceWeb, 2017 – Nigerian Navy wants $1.3 billion acquisition programme
- Military Africa, September 2021 – Nigerian Navy multi-year strategic plan
- Hespress – Morocco in talks to acquire first submarines
- Médias24, April 2026 – Royal Moroccan Navy and the South Korean submarine lead
Method: deliveries come from SIPRI and official statements. Current availability comes from national defence press. Romeo-class and Libyan holdings are marked uncertain because no official source confirms them.
Last verified: 3 November 2026