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 for the defense 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, India, France, Russia, and the UK operate a single
aircraft carrier each. In addition, counties such as Japan, France, Australia,
Egypt, Brazil, South Korea, and Thailand operate a total of fourteen small carriers that are capable
of only carrying helicopters. Here is a list of top 7 most notable
aircraft carriers currently in service around the world.
Gerald R Ford Class Aircraft Carrier
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 features full-load displacement of 100,000t and its 78m-wide flight deck feature
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.
Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier
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 of the 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 wing 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.
Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier
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 expected to be commissioned in 2020. Both the vessels have a
displacement of around 65,000 tonnes and measure 280 metres in length. Featuring latest technology
and automated systems aboard, these vessels only require a crew of 679 for a combat operation.
Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier
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 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,
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 group and 40 flagstaffs abroad.
Liaoning Aircraft Carrier
The sole aircraft carrier in operation with China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy,
the type 001 aircraft carrier Liaoning, is the fifth-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.
The ship was rebuilt and commissioned for China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy in September 2012.
Currently classified as a training ship, Liaoning offers a platform for the Navy to experiment,
train and to 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. INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier
The Indian Navy’s largest warship in service, INS Vikramaditya,
also finds its place among the biggest aircraft carriers of the world. This 283.5 metres-long
modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier 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.
Charles De Gaulle Aircraft Carrier
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 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 a both assaulting and carrying role.