An aircraft carrier is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. 

An aircraft carrier is not a mere big vessel that is equipped to engage in warfare. With never-ending territorial disputes worldwide, the aircraft carrier is a symbol of prestige and power for the navies across the world. These new ‘battleships’ have been one of the biggest assets to the warfare merchandise of all nations. Ever since their inception, these ships have made a huge difference for the defence system of several countries.

Known as floating air bases, these giant aircraft carriers are equipped with a full-length flight deck capable of carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. Acting as the capital ship of a naval fleet in a waterfront, these vessels can carry numerous aircraft including fighters, strike aircraft and helicopters, etc.

Currently, most of the world powers are operating or building technologically advanced aircraft carriers to safeguard their maritime rights and interests. There are a total of 41 active aircraft carriers in operation by thirteen navies across the world.

While the US Navy has the most number of -eleven -aircraft carriers in service, the navies of China, India, France, Russia, and the UK operate a single aircraft carrier each. In addition, counties such as Japan (4), France (3), Australia (2), Egypt (2), Brazil (1), South Korea (1), and Thailand (1) operate a total of fourteen small carriers that are capable of only carrying helicopters.