The Most Unconventional Aircraft Carriers in the World

Here Are the Top 8 Aircraft Carriers in the World

Gerald R. Ford Class, USA: Topping the list of the world’s largest aircraft carriers are the Gerald R. Ford Class battleships of the United States Navy. The lead ship of this class, the USS Gerald R. Ford, was commissioned in May 2017, and construction is underway for the remaining four vessels in the class.

Nimitz Class, USA: With a full load displacement of 97,000 tons and a length of 332.8 meters, the Nimitz Class aircraft carriers boast a vast 4.5-acre flight deck capable of accommodating over 60 aircraft. These ships, capable of housing a crew of 3,000 to 3,200, along with 1,500 air wing personnel and 500 other crew members, are powered by two nuclear reactors and can achieve speeds exceeding 30 knots.

Queen Elizabeth Class, UK: The UK Royal Navy’s largest aircraft carriers rank as the third-largest in the world. These are the largest warships ever constructed for the British Navy, and they also hold the distinction of being the second-largest non-US Navy warships, following Japan’s Yamato-class battleships.

Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia: Russia’s Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier stands out as one of the most formidable in service today. Serving as the flagship of the Russian Navy, the Admiral Kuznetsov boasts a length of 305 meters and a beam of 72 meters, with a full load displacement of 58,500 tons. Beyond its primary role as an aircraft carrier, it is heavily armed, making it a formidable warship.

INS Vikrant, India: INS Vikrant is an indigenous aircraft carrier and a testament to India’s naval capabilities. It is the first aircraft carrier conceptualized and constructed entirely in India, with construction taking place at the Cochin Shipyard Limited. The ship has successfully completed sea trials and is set to be commissioned in August 2022, with an approximate project cost of US$3.1 billion.

Charles De Gaulle, France: France’s first nuclear-powered surface ship, Charles De Gaulle, has been a key asset in the French Navy since 2001. With a total displacement of 36,000 tons and dimensions of 780 by 103 by 27.8 feet, it is the only nuclear-powered carrier in service outside of the US Navy.

INS Vikramaditya, India: As the largest warship currently in service with the Indian Navy, INS Vikramaditya secures its place among the world’s largest aircraft carriers. This modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier, measuring 283.5 meters in length with a beam of 61 meters, was commissioned in 2013.

Cavour, Italy: Serving as the flagship of the Italian Navy, the Cavour aircraft carrier boasts a full load displacement of 30,000 tons and features a range of defense systems, including short-range defense systems, guns, and decoy launchers.

These aircraft carriers represent some of the most formidable and advanced naval vessels in the world, contributing to the strategic capabilities of their respective nations.