The 5 five largest aircraft carriers in the world
In recent times, aircraft carriers on naval vessels are
considered the largest. Currently, there are 47 aircraft carriers in operation
worldwide, being utilized by only 14 countries across the globe. Aircraft
carriers are highly valuable assets of the naval forces, as they not only
participate in military operations but also help safeguard the maritime
borders of their respective nations. At present, the top five countries
operating the ten largest aircraft carriers in the world, in terms of
displacement, are the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, and
India.
According to British naval expert Harry Alexander
Cranassos, “Displacement” in the context of naval affairs refers to
the amount of water that a vessel displaces in the sea as it moves.
It’s important to note that aircraft carriers are indeed
very expensive assets, which is why they are deployed in the field of action
during wartime with careful consideration. During times of peace, they may be
used to instill fear in weaker nations or as a symbol of prestige when there is
no imminent threat. However, in times of war, the decision to deploy an
aircraft carrier is one of the most challenging choices to make.
Although these vessels are equipped with extensive
defensive systems to provide protection, they are brought into active service
only when there is an escalation of conflict and it becomes necessary to use
them to prevent the enemy forces from advancing.
Below is a brief overview of the world’s five largest
aircraft carriers that are part of various nations’ naval fleets:
1: Gerald R. Ford Class (USA)
Gerald R. Ford was the 38th President of the United
States. The Gerald R. Ford Class is named after him and represents the future
of the American Navy’s combat vessels. A project to build 10 aircraft carriers
of this class is underway. The first aircraft carrier of this class is the USS
Gerald R. Ford, which was commissioned in 2017, fully integrating it into the
U.S. Navy fleet. Furthermore, nine more vessels are under construction. The research
and development cost for the ships of this class is approximately $37.3
billion, with an estimated cost of nearly $13 billion for each vessel’s
construction.
The USS Gerald R. Ford has a length of 1,106 feet and a
displacement volume of one hundred and twelve thousand tons, making it the
world’s largest combat vessel. It employs a workforce of 4,500 personnel. The
USS Gerald R. Ford is equipped with various missiles for defense against
threats from land to space, including 7-RIM Sea Sparrow 116-RIM missiles, and M2 machine guns. This warship can carry 75 fighter and bomber
aircraft, including Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, and Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters.
2: Nimitz Class (USA)
10 aircraft carriers associated with the Nimitz Class currently serve a vital role in the United
States Navy. All these warships were constructed at the “Newport News
Shipbuilding” facility. The first aircraft carrier of this class, the USS
Nimitz, joined the U.S. Navy in 1975, and it is scheduled for decommissioning
in 2025, meaning it will be retired from active military service.
The Nimitz Class naval vessels are referred to as
“Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Class” in honor of the legendary
American naval officer. These nuclear-powered warships are 1,092 feet long and
have a displacement volume of one hundred thousand tons. Each aircraft carrier
of this class typically employs a crew of around 6,000 personnel.
The Nimitz Class is considered the world’s most powerful
class of aircraft carriers and is also the oldest class of carriers currently
in service in the U.S. Navy. These warships can accommodate up to 82 combat
aircraft, including McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets and Northrop Grumman E-2
Hawkeye aircraft. They are also equipped with 15 Phalanx MK guns for defense.
3: Fujian, Type 003 (China):
Fujian, China’s largest and
most modern aircraft carrier, is the newest addition to China’s naval fleet.
This military vessel, also known as Type 003, was launched into the sea in June
2022. It was constructed by the “China State Shipbuilding
Corporation.” Fujian is currently undergoing testing and has not yet been
fully integrated into the Chinese Navy.
According to a Beijing researcher, after an 18-month
investigation, Fujian will be prepared for military purposes. This warship is
984 feet long and has a displacement volume of 80,000 tons. According to
reports from the “Asia Times” in Hong Kong, advanced catapult systems
have been installed in Fujian, which can launch large and heavy combat aircraft
into the air. China’s deployment of this aircraft carrier, particularly
in the direction of Taiwan’s eastern seaboard, reflects its desire to assert
its control over Taiwan.
4: HMS Queen Elizabeth Class (United Kingdom):
The HMS
Queen Elizabeth Class represents the British aircraft carrier class consisting
of two warships: HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The lead ship of
this class, HMS Queen Elizabeth, was commissioned into the British Navy in
2017. Both these military vessels are aircraft carriers designed and built by
the company “Aircraft Carrier Alliance,” with each carrier incurring
a cost of approximately £8.13 billion.
These aircraft carriers are 932 feet long and have a
displacement volume of 71,650 tons. Each of them employs a crew of around 1,600
personnel. HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are armed with a range
of weaponry, including Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and American-made
M134 Miniguns. These warships can accommodate more than 65 combat
aircraft, including Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and Boeing
Chinook helicopters, among others.
These military vessels have a length of 932 feet and a
displacement volume of 71,650 tons. Each of them employs a crew of around 1,600
personnel. HMS Queen Elizabeth Class ships are armed with a variety of
weaponry, including Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS), Mainstem, and
American-made M134 Miniguns. These warships can accommodate more than 65 combat
aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and
Boeing Chinook helicopters, among others.
5: Admiral Kuznetsov (Russia)
The Russian aircraft carrier “Admiral
Kuznetsov” was originally built during the Soviet Union era and was named
after the Russian admiral Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov, also known as
“Admiral Kuznetsov.” It was constructed by the Nikolayev South
Shipyard. The aircraft carrier was first commissioned into the Russian Navy in
1991, and at that time, it was the only aircraft carrier in service with the
Russian Navy.
In
June 2022, it underwent significant modifications. This Russian aircraft
carrier has a length of one thousand feet and a displacement volume of 67,500
tons at full load. It has a crew of 1,690 personnel serving on board. Admiral
Kuznetsov is equipped with Sukhoi Su-33 and MiG-29K fighter aircraft, as well
as Soviet-made 630-AK guns and 700-P Granit anti-ship missiles.
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