Aircraft carriers remain the centerpiece of naval forces, providing unmatched power projection capabilities and serving as symbols of national prestige and military might. Herein, we take a closer look at the ten largest aircraft carriers in the world, with their awe-inspiring dimensions and strategic significance.
The Gerald R. Ford class is the world’s largest aircraft carrier with 100,000 tons full load displacement. The lead of the class, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), was delivered to the US Navy in May 2017 and reached initial operational capability last December.
It has a 78-meter-wide flight deck with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system and advanced arresting gear; it carries more than 75 aircraft and can accommodate 4,539 personnel. Fully powered by two A1B nuclear reactors, this vessel boasts 250 percent more electrical capacity compared to its predecessor, the Nimitz class.
With a full load displacement of 97,000 tons, Nimitz class aircraft carriers are ranked as the second biggest in the world. The lead ship of this class was commissioned in May 1975, whereas the last, USS George HW Bush (CVN 77), was commissioned in January 2009. Each Nimitz-class carrier is designed to support 50 years of fleet operations without needing major mid-life overhauls. These are carriers having up to 4.5 acres of flight deck, which can carry more than 60 aircraft and host over 5,000 people.
Queen Elizabeth-class warships are the largest ever built for the Royal Navy, with a displacement of 65,000 tons. The lead ship HMS Queen Elizabeth was commissioned in December 2017 and completed its first operational deployment in December 2021. Similarly, the second warship, HMS Prince of Wales, was commissioned in December 2019. These carriers can accommodate up to 40 aircraft and are driven by state-of-the-art Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines with diesel generators.
Russian Federation The aircraft carrier of the Russian Federation displaces 58,500 tons fully loaded; it is the fourth largest aircraft carrier in the world and the only operational one in service with the Russian Navy. The carried aircraft are Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters. It is heavily armed with Kashtan CIWS and Granit missiles. Propulsion is a steam turbine with a maximum speed of 32 knots.
INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class carrier that India bought from Russia in November 2013. It displaces 44,500 tons and can carry more than 30 aircraft. A heavy armament combined with enhanced propulsion makes it a cornerstone for the maritime force of India.
Excluding the US, the only nuclear-powered carrier is that of France Charles de Gaulle-which underwent a major refit in 2013. This displaces 42,000 tons and can carry as many as 40 aircraft. It has some of the advanced fighter jets like Rafale M. The nuclear reactors provide power to this nuclear aircraft carrier, including a huge amount of speed and power. It reflects the huge maritime capability of France.
The indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, launched in August 2013 and commissioned in August 2022, is capable of carrying 40 aircraft. It would be a giant leap toward achieving naval self-sufficiency for India as the state-of-the-art carrier is being integrated with weapon systems, featuring a Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery mechanism for operations of the aircraft.
These enormous vessels are floating air bases but also extremely strong symbols of the naval capability and technological advancement of a nation.