Top 10 Aircraft Carriers in the World

An aircraft carrier is not a mere big vessel that is equipped to engage in warfare. With never-ending territorial disputes worldwide, the aircraft carrier is a symbol of prestige and power for the navies across the world.

These new ‘battleships’ have been one of the biggest assets to the warfare merchandise of all nations. Ever since their inception, these ships have made a huge difference in the defence system of several countries.

Known as floating air bases, these giant aircraft carriers are equipped with a full-length flight deck capable of carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. Acting as the capital ship of a naval fleet in a waterfront, these vessels can carry numerous aircraft including fighters, strike aircraft and helicopters, etc.

Currently, most of the world powers are operating or building technologically advanced aircraft carriers to safeguard their maritime rights and interests. There are a total of 41 active aircraft carriers in operation by thirteen navies across the world.

While the US Navy has the most number of -eleven -aircraft carriers in service, the navies of China and the UK operate two aircraft carriers, and India France, Russia, and Italy currently operate a single aircraft carrier each (However, India is ready to launch its homemade aircraft carrier in 2022).

In addition, counties such as Japan (4), France (3), Australia (2), Egypt (2), Brazil (1), South Korea (1), and Thailand (1) operate a total of fourteen small carriers that are capable of only carrying helicopters.

Here is a list of the top 10 most notable aircraft carriers currently in service around the world.

1. Gerald R Ford Class, US

The title of the world’s biggest aircraft carrier belongs to the US Navy’s Gerald R Ford Class battleships. The first carrier in this class, USS Gerald R. Ford, was commissioned in May 2017 and the four remaining announced vessels of this class are under construction.

The Gerald R Ford, which is currently active in service, is 337m long with a beam of 748m. They feature a full load displacement of 100,000t and its 78m-wide flight deck features an electromagnetic aircraft launch system as well as advanced arresting gear. USS Gerald R. Ford is capable of carrying over 75 aircraft and accommodating a total of 4,539 personnel.

2. Nimitz Class, USA

The US Navy’s ten Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are the second-largest aircraft carriers in the world. They are certainly one of the best breeds and flaunt all the features required by such battleships. Named after the World War II US Pacific Fleet commander Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the lead ship of this class, USS Nimitz, was launched in May 1975 and the tenth and last of the class, USS George H.W. Bush was commissioned in January 2009.

With a full load displacement of 97,000t, these 332.8m-long aircraft carriers have a 4.5-acre flight deck capable of carrying over 60 aircraft. These ships that can accommodate 3,000 to 3,200 ship’s company, 1,500 air wings, and 500 other crew are powered by two nuclear reactors and can reach a speed of over 30 kt.

They were constructed in 1968 and launched in 1972. Soon they were re-launched as multirole carriers with a nuclear propulsion system.

3. Queen Elizabeth Class, UK

The largest aircraft carriers of the UK Royal Navy are the third-largest aircraft carriers in the world. The biggest warships ever built for British Navy, the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are also the second-largest non-US Navy warships after Japan’s Yamato-class battleships.

Among the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth was commissioned in December 2017, while HMS Prince of Wales was launched in December 2017 and is commissioned in December 2019.

Both the vessels have a displacement of around 65,000 tonnes and measure 280 meters in length. The vessels can embark on up to 40 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. They can embark 36 F-35B and four Merlin Helicopters. Featuring the latest technology and automated systems aboard, these vessels only require a crew of 679 for a combat operation.

4. Liaoning, China

The aircraft carrier in operation with China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the type 001 aircraft carrier Liaoning, is the fourth largest aircraft carrier in the world. Initially planned as the second Kuznetsov-class aircraft for the Soviet Navy, the vessel was later purchased by China after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. It has an overall length of 304.5 m and an overall beam of 75 m.

The ship was rebuilt and commissioned for PLAN in September 2012. Currently classified as a training ship, Liaoning offers a platform for the Navy to experiment, train and be familiar with aircraft carrier operations. Displacing more than 58,000t (full load), Liaoning is capable of carrying around 50 aircraft including fixed-wing planes and helicopters.

5. Shandong, China

The 2nd aircraft carrier of China, Shandong was launched on April 26, 2017. Unlike its predecessor (Liaoning), the Shandong is China’s first domestically built carrier.

Both carriers are similar in size and use a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system for the launch and recovery of aircraft. However, being constructed in recent years, Shandong features much more advanced technology and noticeable equipment which makes it the lead aircraft carrier for China.

The Shandong measures 305 meters in length and has a beam of 75 meters with a full load displacement of 70,000 tons. It can carry a maximum of 44 aircraft on its deck.

6. Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia

Russia’s Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier is one of the best aircraft carriers currently in service. Currently serving as the flagship of the Russian Navy, the 305m-long Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier with a beam of 72m, has a full load displacement of 58,500t. With its multi-role capacity, this heavily armed ship has the potential to serve as an aircraft carrier besides being laced with armaments that make it deadly enough.

With its 14,700m² flight deck facility, it can carry up to 33 fixed-wing aircraft and 12 helicopters. The aircraft carrier is capable of accommodating Su-33, MiG-29K and Su-25UTG/UBP STOVL fighters, and Ka-27S, Ka-27LD32 as well as Ka-27PLO helicopters. Admiral Kuznetsov can also house 1,960 ship’s company, 626 air groups, and 40 flagstaffs abroad.

As of July 2021, Admiral Kuznetsov is out of service for a repair and refit. It was damaged by a falling 70-ton crane from the floating dry dock PD-50 in November 2018 that killed two during the refit. It is planned to go to an upgrade in June 2022.

7. INS Vikrant, India

INS Vikrant is an indigenous aircraft carrier that is the first aircraft carried conceptualized and constructed in India. The construction happed in the Cochin Shipyard Limited. The ship has completed the sea trials and will be commissioned in the coming months (August 2022). The total project cost was approximately US$3.1 billion.

The loaded displacement of the ship is around 45.000 tons and the ship measure 262m in length and 59m in width (Beam). Even though INS Vikramaditya is bigger in dimensions, INS Vikran can carry a maximum of 40 aircraft on its deck and is technologically more advanced than INS Vikramaditya.

8. Charles De Gaulle, France

The first French nuclear-powered surface ship, Charles De Gaulle, is one of the most important flight carriers of France and has been in service since 2001. The ship which has a total displacement of 36,000 tons with a 780X103X27.8 feet structure is the only nuclear-powered carrier in service with the navies other than the US Navy.

With a displacement of 42,500 tonnes, the battleship is capable of carrying upto 40 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters including Rafale M, E-2C Hawkeye, Super Étendard, EC725 Caracal, AS532 Cougar, and SA365 Dauphin. The aircraft carrier can attain a maximum speed of 27 knots and it has been provided with two K17 reactors for propulsion. Its design has been made keeping in mind the need for a battleship to show versatility and stealth. Known for its multirole, the ship is highly combatting friendly, with both assaulting and carrying roles.

9. INS Vikramaditya, India

The Indian Navy’s largest warship in service, INS Vikramaditya, also finds its place among the biggest aircraft carriers in the world. This 283.5 meters-long having a beam of 61 meters, is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier that was entered into service in 2013.

Previously served the Soviet Navy and the Russian Navy under the names of Baku and Admiral Gorshkov respectively, this battleship was purchased by India in January 2004. With a displacement of 45,400t, INS Vikramaditya is capable of carrying a maximum of 36 aircraft including 26 Mikoyan MiG-29K multi-role fighters and 10 Kamov Ka-31 AEW&C and Kamov Ka-28 ASW helicopters.

10. Cavour, Italy

The flagship of the Italian Navy, Cavour aircraft carrier, has a full load displacement of 30,000t and features several defence systems such as short-range defence systems, guns and decoy launchers.

With a 232.6m x 34.5m flight deck, Cavour is capable of accommodating up to 20 aircraft including AV-8B Harrier and JSF as well as EH101, AB212, NH 90 and SH3D helicopters. The 244 long aircraft carrier with a beam of 39m can also hold up to 24 main battle tanks. Its maximum speed is 16 knots, achieved with help of six diesel generators.

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