Aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world. They amaze with their size and functionality. On the deck of such a ship can accommodate several dozen pieces of aircraft, among which may be attack aircraft, fighters, anti-submarine aircraft, helicopters, etc. In addition, all modern offshore structures have a powerful power plant and can sail without refueling for several years.
Currently, only 10 countries of the world have aircraft carriers in their composition. Most of them belong to the US Navy.
The TOP-10 includes the largest aircraft carriers in the world in service.
10. Chakri Narubet | 183 meters
“Chakri Narubet”(Thailand) - a light aircraft carrier opens the top ten largest ships in the world in service. He is the smallest modern aircraft carrier. The main tasks of the Thai ship are search and rescue operations and the provision of air support. The low combat effectiveness of the ship is associated with a lack of funding and infrequent access to the sea. The length of the "Chakri Narubet" is 183 meters. The ship can accommodate more than 600 crew members. Since the aircraft carrier is inactive most of the time, visiting tourists can visit it. In addition, the “Chakri Narubet” is nicknamed as the largest royal yacht in the world, because during exits to the sea, the royal family is very often present on it.
9. Cavour | 244 meters
“Cavour”(Italy) - the largest aircraft carrier of the Italian Navy. It got its name in honor of the statesman of Italy, Count C. Cavour. It was introduced to the fleet in 2009. The length of the vessel is 244 meters. On deck were 8 aircraft Harvier AV-8B and 12 helicopters. In addition to aircraft, it can accommodate more than 500 people, 24 tanks or 50 units of heavy combat vehicles.
8. Charles de Gaulle | 261 meters
“Charles de Gaulle”(France) - a large aircraft carrier, part of the French Navy. “Charles de Gaulle” replaced the obsolete Clemenceau-type aircraft carriers and is the most combat-ready aircraft carrier in the world, after the American “Nimitz” and the Russian “Admiral Kuznetsov”. The ship with a length of 261.5 meters is designed for 40 air units and more than 1,500 crew members, including an air group. The ship actively participated in military operations around the world, including the Afghan war against the Taliban in the 90s of the 20th century.
7. Sao Paulo | 265 meters
“Sao paulo”(Brazil) - the only aircraft carrier of the Navy of Brazil. Until 2000, it belonged to France and belonged to the type of Clemenceau ships. Its former name is Foch. The length of the vessel is 265 meters. On board the “São Paulo” can accommodate more than 1,500 people, including the flight crew, as well as more than 30 aircraft. While still in the French Navy, the aircraft carrier participated in military operations in Bosnia, the Persian Gulf, Lebanon and others.
6. Vikramaditya | 283 meters
“Vikramaditya”(India) - India’s largest aircraft carrier, part of the Navy. Previously, the heavy carrying cruiser belonged to Russia and was called the “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov”. The ship was completely modernized and transferred to the Indian Navy. The length of the vessel is 283.4 meters. On its deck, the Vikramaditya can carry up to 40 flying units and more than 1,500 crew members.
5. Queen Elizabeth | 284 meters
Aircraft carriers type "Queen Elizabeth"(England) are codenamed CVF. English ships are being built to replace Invisible aircraft carriers. Two ships are the largest of all that were built for the Royal Navy. It is planned that one of them will enter service this year, the other will be introduced into the fleet only in 2018. On the deck of Queen Elizabeth, with an area of 13,000 square meters, it will be able to accommodate more than 40 aircraft and helicopters. Aerial vehicles will be able to simultaneously take off and land on deck. Capacity for the crew is 1,500 people, including an air group. The length of the sea vessel is 284 meters.
4. Liaoning | 304 meter
“Liaoning”(China) - Chinese aircraft carrier, which is the first and only in the PLA Navy. It was built in the USSR and belonged to aircraft carriers of the “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov” type. In 2012, it was bought by China and reconstructed. The size of the modernized vessel is 304.5 meters in length. On the deck of "Liaoning" can accommodate 40 pieces of aircraft and more than 2000 people. The Navy uses an aircraft carrier mainly for the purpose of training pilots for subsequent service on the ship.
3. Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov | 305 meters
“Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov"(Russia) - the only aircraft carrier cruiser in the Russian Navy. It got its name in honor of the Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union N.G. Kuznetsova. Unlike its domestic predecessors, the cruiser is able to provide takeoff and landing of aircraft. The flight deck area is more than 14,000 sq.m. A ship’s aviation group can include up to 30 aircraft and 10 helicopters. The crew is designed for 2000 people. The length of the aircraft carrier is 305.1 meters.
2. Nimitz | 332 meters
Type Aircraft CarriersNimitz”(USA) - the largest warships in the world, are in service with the US Navy. In total, 10 such aircraft carriers were built. They are also the most expensive marine vessels: the cost of each is about $ 4.5 billion. On its deck, “Nimitz” is ready to accept up to 90 aircraft and helicopters - this is the maximum capacity indicator among existing maritime transport. In addition, on board can accommodate more than 5,000 crew members, including an air group. The length of one such offshore structure is 332.8 meters. Carriers actively participate in military operations (Yugoslavia, Iraq), and also provide humanitarian support to the countries affected by natural disasters (tsunami in Indonesia - 2004; earthquake in Haiti - 2010). The average life of such a vessel is 50 years.
1. Gerald R. Ford | 337 meters
«Gerald R. Ford"(USA) - the largest modern aircraft carrier, the construction of which has been underway since 2009. The size of the colossus is 337 meters in length. It was planned that the “Gerald Ford” will replace the giant “Enterprise”. But the latter was already decommissioned in 2012. The operation of the new ship is projected to cost 4 billion cheaper than the Enterprise due to the reduction in the number of crew. A modern aircraft carrier will be able to accommodate about 4660 people. In 2013, the ceremony of launching the ship into the water. The introduction of the American fleet is planned in November this year. The aviation group will comprise more than 75 aircraft, helicopters and “drones” (UAVs).