In the field of defence, America tries to show its dominance, which is not visible just in the air. When it comes to naval power, America emerges as the most powerful country in the world. In recent times, America has deployed its strongest aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Arabian Sea for several days. Meanwhile, the second USS Gerald R., considered the world’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier. Preparations are being made to send Ford (CVN-78) to the Middle East.
If we are talking about America, then it is also important to know how many countries in the world have aircraft carriers and how many they have in comparison to America. It is also important to know where India is in this list. These aircraft carriers give countries power on the sea, which are equipped with thousands of crew members and dozens of fighter jets and support aircraft. These ships play an important role not only in war but also in power projection, sea control, deterrence, crisis response and humanitarian aid. A total of 14 countries have aircraft carriers in 2026, some of which are conventional aircraft carriers, some nuclear powered, some short takeoff but arrested recovery (STOBAR) type, some catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) and some landing helicopter docks (LHD) that carry helicopters or short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft.
1. United States of America (11 career)
There is no competition in the carrier aviation capability of the US Navy. Nimitz-class and Ford-class nuclear powered supercarriers, along with Wasp, Tarawa and America-class amphibious assault ships and some other amphibious ships, help the US launch fighter jets and helicopters like F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, E-2D, F-35B, F-35C. This gives America unmatched sortie generation, global power projection, sea control and deterrence. The US uses them for sustained campaigns, first-night strikes, ISR/C2 orchestration and crisis response. These carriers are the most advanced in the world, able to operate thousands of kilometers away and run for long periods of time on nuclear power. America’s total deck space is more than double that of the rest of the world, making it the maritime king.
2. China (3 career)
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently operates three aircraft carriers, namely Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian. China has recently tested an advanced version of Fujian, which has a magnetic launching system. These carriers are conventionally powered, but Fujian has advanced catapult technology that helps launch aircraft faster. China is rapidly expanding its carrier fleet and these ships carry J-15 fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft. They are used for territorial control in the South China Sea, power projection and to protect Chinese interests in the Indo-Pacific.
3. United Kingdom (2nd career)
The UK operates the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, consisting of two ships: HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. Both carriers are conventionally powered and equipped with ski-jump ramps. Both can carry F-35B Lightning II STOVL-type fighter jets and helicopters. The UK uses its carrier capability for carrier strike groups, coalition operations and deterrence patrols. These ships play a key role in NATO operations and are used for global presence, such as in the Middle East or Indo-Pacific.
4. India (2 career)
India operates INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant STOBAR carriers, which are capable of launching MIG-29K/KUB helicopters and, in the future, an indigenous platform. This gives India the ability to maintain presence in the Indian Ocean, maritime control, fleet defense and limited strike. India uses its carriers for deterrence patrols, exercises and regional contingencies. INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft purchased from Russia, while INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenous carrier, built at the Cochin Shipyard. Both carry MIG-29K fighter jets and helicopters such as Kamov-31. India’s rank is considered to be third or fourth in the world, but with 2 carriers it holds a strong position in the Indo-Pacific. Planning to pursue more career in India in future.
5. Italy (1 Carrier + 1 LHD)
Italy has one carrier Cavour and one LHD Trieste. Both can launch F-35B Lightning II fighter jets and helicopters, providing flexible expeditionary air power and NATO interoperability. Italy uses these two ships for crisis response and coalition operations. Cavour is a light carrier designed for STOVL operations, while Trieste is a larger amphibious assault ship that can also handle fighter jets. These ships strengthen the Italian navy in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.
6. Japan (in 2 career conversions)
Japan is currently converting two Izumo-class ships, Izumo and Kaga, for short takeoff and vertical landing operations. Currently the carriers are capable of launching helicopters, but after conversion they will also be able to launch F-35B Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft. Japan uses its aircraft carrier capability for homeland defense reinforcement, island chain support, and alliance interoperability with the US and other Indo-Pacific partners. These ships are part of Japan’s Pacific Defense Strategy.
7. South Korea (1 ship)
South Korea has the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship which is helicopter-centric. However, there are plans to include the F-35B or other STOVL-type fixed-wing aircraft in the future. At present Dokdo is limited to helicopters only. Dokdo enables amphibious operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and maritime lift. This ship is used for the defense of the Korean Peninsula and regional stability.
8. Spain (1 career)
Spain has one aircraft carrier named Juan Carlos I LHD. It is equipped with AV-8N Harrier II fighter aircraft and various helicopters. This gives Madrid the options of STOVL strike, fleet support and operational flexibility. Spain uses Juan Carlos for operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. This ship is the main part of the expeditionary force of the Spanish Navy.
9. Thailand (1 career)
Thailand has only one carrier named Chakri Narubet. Thailand’s small aircraft carrier is Chakri Narubet. Earlier it used to launch Harrier aircraft, but now the Royal Thai Navy has retired that aircraft, so now it launches only helicopters. It is used more for disaster management and area signaling than real combat aircraft. This ship strengthens Thailand’s South East Asian presence.
10. Turkiye (1 career)
Turkey also has only one carrier named TCG Anadolu Amphibious Assault Ship. Turkey’s TCG is equipped with Anadolu helicopter aviation and carrier-oriented drones, but not manned fixed-wing platforms. This gives Turkey the ability to experiment with sea-based ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and strikes in both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Turkey has a long-standing geopolitical rivalry with its western neighbor and NATO ally Greece. However, instead of real warfare, Anadolu is currently used for testing.
11. Russia (1 career)
Russia has only one carrier named Admiral Kuznetsov. It is Russia’s only aircraft carrier, often criticized for being in refit since 2017. It is not certain that this carrier will ever float again as its problems are too great. The carrier was launched in 1985 and formally commissioned into the Russian Navy in 1991. It has been notorious for countless mechanical and technical problems, frequent breakdowns and cleaning difficulties. When it was last in operation, Admiral Kuznetsov launched Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters. It is STOBAR type and used to support the global presence of the Russian Navy.
12. France (1 career)
France also has a carrier named Charles de Gaulle, commissioned in 2001. It is a CATOBAR-equipped aircraft carrier capable of launching Rafale M, E-2C Hawkeye and helicopters. This provides true blue-water strike, nuclear deterrence signaling and independent expeditionary air power. The special thing is that France is the only naval power apart from America which has a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This ship is central to the global operations of the French Navy.
13. Egypt (2nd career)
Egypt has two Mistral-class LHDs counted as carriers, named Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Al Sadat. With the Mistral, Egypt launches only attack, utility or anti-submarine warfare mission-built helicopters. This enables amphibious operations, regional presence and HADR. These ships strengthen Egypt in the Mediterranean and Red Sea.
14. Australia (2nd career)
Australia has 2 carriers, both Canberra-class LHD. Their names are HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide. The Canberra-class only launches helicopters such as the MH-60R and occasionally the Chinook. It provides amphibious assault, HADR, command-and-control and limited sea control support. Australia uses this capability for aviation lift and ISR, disaster relief, coalition amphibious operations in regional crises, and not for strikes. These ships protect Australian interests in the Indo-Pacific.
These carriers not only increase combat power but also help in diplomacy, disaster relief and international cooperation. Overall, there are about 25-30 such ships in the world in 2026, but America alone is more powerful than the rest of the world.
