Close-up of the largest aircraft carriers on the planet

Gerald R. Ford (USA)

The Gerald R. Ford-class carriers are the successors to the Nimitz-class carriers. A total of 9-10 new carriers of this class are expected to be built. These will be the largest and most powerful warships ever built. These aircraft carriers will be the main strike force of the US Navy throughout the 21st century.

The hull design of the Ford class is similar to that of the Nimitz class. The new carriers were redesigned and equipped with more efficient automated control and monitoring systems. It will be able to carry an aviation group of 85 planes, helicopters or drones. As well as include the F-35 JSF and F/A-18E/F electronic warfare aircraft, EA-18G, E-2D Advanced, MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters.

A total of 10 aircraft carriers of this class were built, of which 3 were from the original design and 7 from the improved design. These were the largest battleships at the time. With nuclear power plants, they can carry 80 aircraft and helicopters, mainly F/A-18E/F, electronic warfare aircraft EA-6B Prowlers, early warning aircraft E-2C Hawkeye and helicopters MH-60R, MH-60S.

The Nimitz class has an automatic self-defense system against cruise anti-ship missiles by integrating and combining weapon systems with electronic warfare.

Inaugurated by the Russian Navy in 1991, the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is smaller than the US aircraft carrier but carries more powerful offensive weapons. Kuznetsov can carry about 40 aircraft and helicopters, including the Su-33 and MiG-29K, different versions of the Ka-27 amphibious assault helicopter. Admiral Kuznetsov is also a heavy aircraft cruiser, not just an aircraft carrier. It carried a number of heavy assault weapons, notably 12 Granite anti-ship missile launchers.

Liaoning (China)

The Varyag cruiser was the second Kuznetsov-class ship to leave the port in the city of Nikolaev, in present-day Ukraine. She was laid down in 1985 and launched in 1988, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, funding for the ship’s construction stopped. The unfinished hull was eventually sold to China and then restored and refitted.

This aircraft carrier was commissioned by the Chinese Navy in 2012 with the name “Liaoning”. “Liaoning” can carry up to 50 planes and helicopters. After the repair, the Chinese ship lost all the heavy offensive weapons of the Admiral Kuznetsov class, now carrying only short-range defensive weapons.

Queen Elizabeth (England).

The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier was built in 2009 and entered service with the Royal Navy in 2017. Queen Elizabeth can carry 40 aircraft of all types, including a maximum of 36 F-35 stealth fighters. Configuration deployed in peacetime, the ship will carry 12 F-35Bs, 24 with standard combat configuration and a number of helicopters. The aircraft carrier Elizabeth has a length of 284 m, the largest width of 73 m, a draft of 11 m, and a full load displacement of 70,600 tons. The ship is equipped with 2 gas turbine engines and 2 diesel engines with a total capacity of 61,687 horsepower, a maximum speed of 29 knots, a cruise reserve of 10,000 knots.

Charles de Gaulle (France)

This is a relatively modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which entered service with the French Navy in 2001. Charles de Gaulle is currently the flagship of the French Navy. It is the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier built outside the United States.

Charles de Gaulle can carry more than 40 planes and helicopters. The air group includes 30 Rafale multirole fighters, E-2C Hawkeye radar warning aircraft, helicopters represented as SA 365F Dauphin or AS322 Cougar.

Vikramaditya (India)

Vikramaditya is the largest and most modern aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, converted from the Soviet cruiser Baku. This ship was sold by Russia to India in 2004 in a contract worth 2.3 billion USD.

Vikramaditya has a length of 283.5m; width 59.8m; maximum displacement 45,400 tons. Vikramaditya can carry about 30 aircraft and helicopters, including MiG-29KU and MiG-29KUB, Ka-31 helicopters. The air group consists of 30 aircraft and 6 helicopters.

Sao Paulo (Brazil)

Sao Paulo is a Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier. Originally commissioned into the French Navy in 1963, under the name “Foch”. The ship was later sold to Brazil in 2000 for $12 million and renamed Sao Paulo (A12) – where it became the new flagship of the Brazilian Navy.

Sao Paulo can carry up to 40 planes and helicopters. The main fleet of aircraft on the Brazilian aircraft carrier is the A-4KU Skyhawk. However, this aircraft carrier is currently mainly for pilot training. Its attack ability is limited.

Cavour (Italy)

Cavour is a light aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2008. It is currently the new flagship of the Italian Navy. Once the conversion is complete, the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing stealth fighter will replace the existing AV-8B Harrier and can act as a command center. Cavour can carry main battle tanks and amphibious vehicles in the hangar.

Chakri Naruebet (Thailand)

The aircraft carrier “Chakri Naruebet” was built in Spain, commissioned by the Royal Thai Navy in 1997. In fact, it is the smallest aircraft carrier in the world, with only displacement. 11,500 tons – a little more than an American destroyer.

“Chakri Naruebet” can carry about 30 planes and helicopters. The air group includes AV-8S Matador aircraft and S-70B Seahawk, Sea King or CH-47 Chinook helicopters. However, Chakri Naruebet lacked defensive weapons.

Peace (translation summary)

Who are the targets of nuclear weapons?

Today there is no discussion of any nuclear war, however, each nuclear power already has targets that they will target in the event of a Third World War. out.