In the history of naval warfare, no ship has been more dominant or feared than that of the aircraft carrier. With the ability to deploy and recover aircraft around the clock, aircraft carriers can project global dominance for whatever country has them available.
While they can also serve humanitarian causes, aircraft carriers are, first and foremost, warships. Countries with navy fleets that have aircraft carriers are a large detriment to entering any conflict. With this in mind, let’s look at the countries with the most aircraft carriers worldwide.
11. Brazil
- Number of aircraft carriers: 1
- Total tonnage: 21,500
The Brazilian aircraft carrier Atlantico was acquired from the United Kingdom in 2018. The Atlantico is currently the only aircraft carrier in South America.
10. Turkey
- Number of aircraft carriers: 1
- Total tonnage: 27,000
The TCG Anadolu is the lone Turkish aircraft carrier that allows the country to land its Bayraktar TB3 fighter jet fleet.
9. Spain
- Number of aircraft carriers: 1
- Total tonnage: 26,000
The Juan Carlos I is a multipurpose light aircraft carrier that is the backbone of the Spanish navy. It is only equipped to handle Spain’s fleet of Harrier fighter jets as a light carrier.
8. Russia
- Number of aircraft carriers: 1
- Total tonnage: 58,000
The current Russian fleet has one aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, commissioned in 1991 and has a nautical range of 8,500 miles.
7. France
- Number of aircraft carriers: 1
- Total tonnage: 45,000
As of May 2024, France only has one nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the FS Charles de Gaulle. It can serve a mix of aircraft, including helicopters and fighter jets.
6. United Kingdom
- Number of aircraft carriers: 2
- Total tonnage: 72,000
The HMS Queen Elizabeth and the HMS Prince of Wales comprise the United Kingdom’s aircraft carrier fleet.
5. Japan
- Number of aircraft carriers: 2
- Total tonnage: 64,200
Japan announced in 2018 that it was converting its helicopter carriers, the Izumo and the Kaga, into aircraft carriers that could deploy and recover fighter jets. Combined, the two ships have a displacement of 64,200 tons.
4. Italy
- Number of aircraft carriers: 2
- Total tonnage: 44,150
Italy has two aircraft carriers in its naval fleet: the Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Cavour. The Giuseppe, commissioned in 1985, differs from the more modern Cavour.
3. India
- Number of aircraft carriers: 2
- Total tonnage: 90,000
India’s two aircraft carriers, the INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant, have a total tonnage of 90,000.
2. China
- Number of aircraft carriers: 3
- Total tonnage: 144,000
As of May 2024, China has three aircraft carriers in the People’s Liberation Army. The Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian are all currently in service.
1. United States
- Number of aircraft carriers: 11
- Total tonnage: 1.2 million
The United States is the most dominant player in the aircraft carrier space. With 11 total aircraft carriers, each ship carries up to 90 planes and helicopters, plus thousands of pilots, sailors, and support staff.
France
The Porte-Avions Nouvelle Generation, which will replace the FS Charles de Gaulle in the next decade, will launch with a displacement of 75,000 tons and is set to be around 980 feet in total length.
United States
The United States currently has two aircraft carriers on order in addition to the 11 already in service. The Ford-class ship, with a total tonnage of 100,000 tons, will be 1,093 feet long and launch in 2034. An America-class boat, set to launch sometime in the next decade, will be 843 feet long and have a total tonnage of 45,000 tons.
India
With India’s existing carriers coming from Russia, the country is set to launch its own locally manufactured aircraft carrier, the INS Vishal, with a displacement of 65,000 tons.
Brazil
Brazil is looking to double the size of its fleet. In 2029, it will launch the Rio de Janeiro aircraft carrier. At 50,000 tons, the carrier will give Brazil the largest overall fleet in South America.
China
The Type 003 aircraft carrier, Fujian, is undergoing sea trials and is planned for a 2024 launch. At 1,037 feet long and 80,000 tons, it will be the largest ship in China’s fleet. It will also be the closest aircraft carrier on the planet close in size to American warships.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Aerial-motion/Shutterstock.com.
