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.
