List of aircraft carriers by country

Introduction

Aircraft carriers are warships that serve as seagoing airbases, equipped with a full-length flight deck for the deployment and recovery of aircraft. These vessels are pivotal in modern naval warfare, providing a mobile platform for air operations independent of local bases. This article provides a comprehensive list of aircraft carriers by country, detailing their specifications, history, and operational status.

United States

The United States Navy operates the largest fleet of aircraft carriers in the world. These vessels are primarily nuclear-powered, allowing for extended deployment periods without the need for refueling.

Nimitz Class

The Nimitz class is a class of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. These carriers are among the largest warships in the world, with a displacement of approximately 100,000 tons.

• **USS Nimitz (CVN-68)** - Commissioned in 1975, the USS Nimitz is the lead ship of her class.
• **USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)** - Commissioned in 1977, named after the 34th President of the United States.
• **USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)** - Commissioned in 1982, named after Congressman Carl Vinson.
• **USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)** - Commissioned in 1986, named after the 26th President of the United States.
• **USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)** - Commissioned in 1989, named after the 16th President of the United States.
• **USS George Washington (CVN-73)** - Commissioned in 1992, named after the 1st President of the United States.
• **USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)** - Commissioned in 1995, named after Senator John C. Stennis.
• **USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)** - Commissioned in 1998, named after the 33rd President of the United States.
• **USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)** - Commissioned in 2003, named after the 40th President of the United States.
• **USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)** - Commissioned in 2009, named after the 41st President of the United States.

Gerald R. Ford Class

The Gerald R. Ford class represents the latest generation of aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy, featuring advanced technology and improved efficiency.

• **USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)** - Commissioned in 2017, the lead ship of her class.
• **USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)** - Expected to be commissioned in 2024, named after the 35th President of the United States.
• **USS Enterprise (CVN-80)** - Under construction, named after the famous World War II aircraft carrier.

An aircraft carrier at sea, with aircraft on the flight deck.

An aircraft carrier at sea, with aircraft on the flight deck.

United Kingdom

The Royal Navy operates two aircraft carriers, both of which are part of the Queen Elizabeth class.

Queen Elizabeth Class

The Queen Elizabeth class represents the largest and most powerful warships ever built for the Royal Navy.

• **HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)** - Commissioned in 2017, the lead ship of her class.
• **HMS Prince of Wales (R09)** - Commissioned in 2019, the second ship of her class.

France

The French Navy operates one aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.

Charles de Gaulle (R91)

The Charles de Gaulle is the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier operated by a country other than the United States. Commissioned in 2001, it serves as the flagship of the French Navy.

Russia

The Russian Navy operates one aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov.

Admiral Kuznetsov

The Admiral Kuznetsov is a heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser, commissioned in 1990. It is currently undergoing extensive repairs and modernization.

China

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operates two aircraft carriers, with more under construction.

Liaoning (CV-16)

The Liaoning is a refurbished Soviet-era carrier, commissioned in 2012. It serves primarily as a training vessel.

Shandong (CV-17)

The Shandong is China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2019.

India

The Indian Navy operates one aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, with another under construction.

INS Vikramaditya

The INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2013.

INS Vikrant

The INS Vikrant is an indigenous aircraft carrier currently undergoing sea trials and expected to be commissioned soon.

Italy

The Italian Navy operates two aircraft carriers.

Cavour (550)

The Cavour is a light aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2008.

Giuseppe Garibaldi (551)

The Giuseppe Garibaldi is a smaller carrier, commissioned in 1985, primarily used for helicopter operations.

Spain

The Spanish Navy operates one aircraft carrier, the Juan Carlos I.

Juan Carlos I (L61)

The Juan Carlos I is a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship that can operate as an aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 2010.

Brazil

The Brazilian Navy operates one aircraft carrier, the São Paulo.

São Paulo (A12)

The São Paulo is a Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier, originally commissioned in the French Navy in 1963 and transferred to Brazil in 2000. It is currently inactive and awaiting decommissioning.

Japan

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force operates two helicopter carriers that are being converted to operate fixed-wing aircraft.

Izumo Class

The Izumo class consists of two ships, the JS Izumo and JS Kaga.

• **JS Izumo (DDH-183)** - Commissioned in 2015, currently being modified to operate F-35B aircraft.
• **JS Kaga (DDH-184)** - Commissioned in 2017, also being modified to operate F-35B aircraft.

South Korea

The Republic of Korea Navy is planning to build its first aircraft carrier, the CVX.

CVX

The CVX is a planned light aircraft carrier, expected to be commissioned in the early 2030s.

See Also

• Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
• Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier
• Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier
• People's Liberation Army Navy