Aircraft carriers have long been the crowns of naval power—airfields that float on the water, extend a nation’s influence, deter competitors, and project military prestige. In the current age of increasing global competition and swift technological change, these enormous vessels are more than symbols—they are strategic assets capable of shaping regional conflicts and global operations. Below are the ten largest and most potent aircraft carriers at present in operation, and what makes each of them a sea-based giant.
10. Charles de Gaulle
France’s flagship is the Charles de Gaulle, the sole nuclear-powered aircraft carrier outside of the U.S. Navy. It’s 42,500 tonnes and 261-meter length carries as many as 40 aircraft, such as Rafale M fighter planes and E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft. Nuclear power allows it to have virtually unlimited range, perfect for missions that take a long time to complete without needing refueling. The carrier has been at the heart of French naval operations across the globe, from the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific. France is already laying the groundwork for a replacement, the PA-NG—a 75,000-tonne nuclear carrier with electromagnetic launch technology.
9. INS Vikrant
India’s first indigenously-built carrier, INS Vikrant, is the country’s biggest achievement in shipbuilding yet. Weighing 45,000 tonnes and measuring 262 meters long, it can accommodate around 40 aircraft such as MiG-29Ks and helicopters. Its ski-jump deck enables STOBAR operations, and offensive systems defend the vessel. Induction of Vikrant announced India’s plans to become a powerful naval force in the Indian Ocean.
8. INS Vikramaditya
Former Soviet Admiral Gorshkov, INS Vikramaditya, was thoroughly overhauled before being inducted into India’s fleet. Weighing 45,400 tonnes and measuring 283.5 meters, it carries as many as 36 aircraft, mainly MiG-29Ks, from a ski-jump. In addition to Vikrant, it provides the Indian Navy with an enduring carrier strike capability and a credible blue-water presence.
7. Liaoning
The Liaoning, acquired from the Soviet Union and refitted, joined the Chinese Navy in 2012. It displaces around 58,000 tonnes and is 304.5 meters long, carrying up to 50 aircraft, including J-15s. Though it serves as a training platform, it is fully operational and has paved the way for more advanced, domestically designed carriers.
6. Admiral Kuznetsov
Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov combines conventional carrier aviation with heavy missile weaponry, a design approach different from that of the West. Measuring 58,500 tonnes and 305 meters long, it can host 33 fixed-wing aircraft and 12 helicopters. Its operational history has been marred by technical issues, but it is still the pride of the Russian Navy and an unusual hybrid carrier doctrine example.
5. Queen Elizabeth Class
The HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are the biggest ever warships for the UK, displacing 65,000 tonnes and standing at 280 meters long. Both have space for up to 40 aircraft, ranging from F-35B Lightning IIs to Merlin helicopters. They carry ski-jump decks for STOVL operations and are capable of being crewed by a combat crew of only 679 with automation. These carriers account for a substantial part of the Royal Navy’s fleet, with capability and operational issues marked.
4. Shandong
China’s first completely domestically produced carrier, the Shandong, began service in 2019. Slightly bigger than Liaoning at 70,000 tonnes and 305 meters in length, it can carry around 44 aircraft. Although still dependent on STOBAR operations, its systems and facilities have been highly improved, demonstrating the nation’s enhanced competence in building carriers.
3. Fujian
Fujian (Type 003), commissioned in 2022, is China’s most advanced carrier. With a displacement of approximately 80,000 tonnes and a length of 316 meters, it is the nation’s first carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, allowing for heavier and more varied aircraft to be launched. This is a significant advance in operational flexibility and brings it closer to U.S. Ford-class carrier capabilities.
2. Nimitz Class
The ten Nimitz-class carriers have been the mainstay of U.S. naval power since the 1970s. They displace 97,000 tonnes and measure 332.8 meters in length, carrying over 60 aircraft. Twin nuclear reactors provide these carriers unparalleled endurance, with integrated combat systems and logistical capacity making them the world standard for carrier operations. They have played the focal role in all significant U.S. military interventions in the last half-century.
1. Gerald R. Ford Class
The Gerald R. Ford class is the epitome of carrier architecture. The first ship, USS Gerald R. Ford, has a displacement of 100,000 tonnes, a length of 337 meters, and can support more than 75 aircraft. EMALS catapults and Advanced Arresting Gear accelerate flight operations, whereas automation lessens crew workload. Survivability, efficiency, and high sortie rates are built into the design, making this class a new standard for carrier warfare.
The battle for carrier superiority goes on. France is designing its next-generation nuclear carrier for the 2030s, and the U.S. is sticking to a carrier-dominant naval strategy even as missile technology progresses. European navies are confronted with challenging decisions weighing capability and affordability, and aircraft carriers will continue to be the linchpin of global naval power. Huge, elaborate, and strategically critical, these seagoing airbases will keep dominating the seas for decades to come.