Top 10 Most Expensive Aircraft Carriers In The World

Introduction

Most Expensive Aircraft Carriers: Aircraft carriers are huge and costly warships. They act as moving airbases, helping countries send military forces across the sea and oceans. The cost of building and maintaining an expensive aircraft carrier is extremely high due to advanced technology, powerful weapons, and large crew requirements.

Some of the most expensive aircraft carriers in the United States are the USS Gerald R. Ford, which costs around USD 13 billion. Other countries, like China and the United Kingdom, also have costly carriers. The high price comes from their size, stealth features, and state-of-the-art defense systems. Despite the cost, aircraft carriers remain crucial for modern naval warfare, ensuring security and dominance at sea.

History About Aircraft Carriers

• In 1910, Eugene Ely successfully took off from the USS Birmingham, the first aircraft to do so from a ship.
• The first recorded landing on a ship occurred in 1911 when Ely landed on the USS Pennsylvania.
• In 1918, HMS Argus became the world’s first carrier capable of both launching and recovering naval aircraft.
• The Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 led to the conversion of existing ships into aircraft carriers.
• Japan’s Hōshō, commissioned in 1922, was the first purpose-built aircraft carrier.
• During World War II, aircraft carriers became central to naval warfare, with significant battles like Midway in 1942 highlighting their strategic importance.
• The British Royal Navy introduced the angled flight deck in the 1950s.
• The U.S. Navy’s Forrestal-class carriers, commissioned in the 1950s, were among the first “supercarriers,” displacing over 75,000 tons.
• In 1961, the USS Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, providing extended operational range and endurance.
• As of 2025, the U.S. Navy operates 11 aircraft carriers, maintaining a significant global naval presence.

Types of Aircraft carriers

Reasons Behind Aircraft Carriers So Expensive

• Building a modern aircraft carrier can exceed USD 13 billion.
• Incorporation of cutting-edge systems like electromagnetic catapults increases costs.
• Nuclear-powered carriers require complex reactors, adding to expenses.
• Equipping carriers with advanced aircraft, such as the F-35, contributes significantly to overall costs.
• Training thousands of personnel for carrier operations is costly.
• Regular maintenance ensures operational readiness but adds to lifetime expenses.
• Rising material and labor costs over time escalate budgets.
  Mid-construction modifications can lead to significant cost overruns.
• Delays in construction prolong schedules and increase costs.
• Strategic requirements may necessitate additional features, driving up expenses.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Top 10 Most Expensive Aircraft Carriers In The World

1. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78): USD 12.8 billion
2. USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79): USD 11.3 billion
3. USS Enterprise (CVN-80): USD 12.0 billion
4. HMS Queen Elizabeth: USD 4.6 billion
5. HMS Prince of Wales: USD 4.6 billion
6. INS Vikrant: USD 2.5 billion
7. Charles de Gaulle (R91): USD 3.3 billion
8. Liaoning (CV-16): USD 2.4 billion
9. Shandong (CV-17): USD 2.5 billion
10. Admiral Kuznetsov: USD 2 billion

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#1. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

(Source: naval-technology.com)

• Displacement: Approximately 100,000 tons.
• Length: Overall length of 337.1 meters (1,106 feet).
• Beam: Waterline (40.8 meters (134 feet)) and Flight deck (78 meters (256 feet)).
• Draft:9 meters (39 feet).
• Propulsion: Powered by two A1B nuclear reactors driving four propellers.
• Speed: Capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots.
• Crew Complement: Approximately 4,539 personnel.
• Armament: Three Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS), Two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, Two RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launchers, Four Mk 38 25 mm machine gun systems and Four Browning M2 .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns.
• Aircraft Capacity: Can accommodate up to 90 aircraft, including models like the Boeing F/A-18, Boeing EA-18, Grumman C-2, Grumman E-2, Lockheed Martin F-35, and Sikorsky SH-60.

#2. USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Class & Type: Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier.
• Length: Approximately 337 meters.
• Beam: 41 meters at the waterline.
• Displacement: Over 100,000 tons when fully loaded.
• Propulsion: Powered by two A1B nuclear reactors.
• Speed: Capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots.
• Crew Capacity: It is designed to accommodate approximately 4,539 personnel.
• Aircraft Capacity: It can support over 75 aircraft.
• Flight Deck Dimensions: Measures 333 meters in length and 78 meters in width.
• Armament: Equipped with RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and Phalanx CIWS for defense.
• Commissioning: Scheduled for commissioning in 2025.

#3. USS Enterprise (CVN-80)

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Displacement: Approximately 100,000 tons at full load.
• Length: The Overall length is 337 meters (1,106 feet).
• Beam: 78 meters (256 feet) at the flight deck.
• Propulsion: Powered by two A1B nuclear reactors, enabling greater efficiency and reduced maintenance compared to previous designs.
• Speed: Capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots (approximately 34.5 mph or 55.5 km/h).
• Air Wing Capacity: It is Designed to support over 75 aircraft, including the F-35C Lightning II and various uncrewed aerial vehicles.
• Crew Complement: The ship has around 4,539 crew members, including both sailors and aircrew.
• Advanced Systems: It features the AN/SPY-6(V)3 radar, which improves target detection and tracking.
• Armament: For defense, it is armed with two Phalanx CIWS, two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, and two RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile systems.
• Construction Milestones: Keel laid on August 27, 2022, with commissioning anticipated in 2029.

#4. HMS Queen Elizabeth

(Source: armyrecognition.com)

• Length: 284 meters.
• Beam (Width): 73 meters.
• Displacement: Approximately 65,600 tonnes.
• Propulsion: Integrated electric system powered by two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines and four Wärtsilä diesel generators.
• Speed: Capable of exceeding 25 knots.
• Range: Over 10,000 nautical miles.
• Crew Complement: Around 679 personnel, with the capacity to accommodate up to 1,600 individuals, including aircrew and marines.
• Air Wing Capacity: Designed to operate up to 40 aircraft, including F-35B Lightning II jets and various helicopters.
• Armament: Equipped with Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and 30mm Automated Small Calibre Guns for self-defense.
• Radar Systems: Fitted with the S1850M long-range radar and Type 997 Artisan 3D medium-range radar for comprehensive surveillance and target acquisition.

#5. HMS Prince of Wales

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Length: Approximately 284 meters.
• Beam (Width): About 73 meters.
• Displacement: Roughly 65,600 tonnes at full load.
• Propulsion: Integrated electric system powered by two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines and four Wärtsilä 16V38 diesel engines.
• Speed: Capable of reaching speeds up to 27 knots.
• Aircraft Capacity: Designed to accommodate up to 46 aircraft, including F-35B Lightning II jets and various helicopters.
• Crew Complement: Approximately 1,450 personnel, encompassing both ship’s company and aircrew.
• Armament: Equipped with four Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and four 30mm DS30M Mark 2 automated small calibre guns for defense.
• Radar Systems: Fitted with a SMART-L S1850M long-range radar and Type 997 Artisan 3D air and surface surveillance radar.
• Commissioning Date: Officially entered service on December 10, 2019.

#6. INS Vikrant

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Length: 262 meters
• Beam: 62 meters
• Displacement: Approximately 45,000 tons
• Propulsion: Four General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines generating over 80 megawatts (110,000 hp)
• Speed: Maximum speed of 28 knots
• Range: 7,500 nautical miles at 18 knots
• Aircraft Capacity: Up to 36 aircraft, including 26 fixed-wing combat aircraft and 10 helicopters
• Crew Complement: Around 1,700 personnel
• Combat Management System: Developed by Tata Advanced Systems
• Home Base: Initially Karwar, with plans to shift to Visakhapatnam after infrastructure development.

#7. Charles de Gaulle (R91)

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Dimensions: Length of 261.5 meters and a flight deck width of 64.36 meters.
• Displacement: Approximately 42,500 tons at full load.
• Propulsion: Powered by two K15 pressurised water reactors, enabling a maximum speed of 27 knots.
• Autonomy: Capable of operating continuously for up to 45 days without resupply.
• Crew Capacity: Accommodates approximately 1,350 ship personnel and 600 aircrew members.
• Air Wing: Typically carries around 40 aircraft, including Dassault Rafale M fighters and E-2C Hawkeye surveillance planes.
• Armament: Equipped with 4 Sylver A43 launchers for Aster 15 missiles, 2 Sadral launchers for Mistral missiles, and 8 Giat 20F2 20 mm cannons.
• Flight Deck: Features a 261.5-meter-long angled flight deck with two 75-meter catapults for aircraft launch.
• Stability Systems: Utilizes the SATRAP stabilisation system, incorporating four 22-tonne counterweights for enhanced stability.
• Operational History: Commissioned in 2001, it has participated in various missions, including operations in Afghanistan and Libya.

#8. Liaoning (CV-16)

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Origin: Originally built for the Soviet Navy as Varyag, acquired by China in 1998, and commissioned as Liaoning in 2012.
• Class: Type 001 aircraft carrier, based on the Soviet Admiral Kuznetsov class design.
• Dimensions: Length of 304.5 meters, beam of 75 meters, and a draft of 10.5 meters.
• Displacement: Approximately 60,000 to 66,000 tons.
• Propulsion: Powered by eight boilers and four steam turbines, delivering a total of 200,000 horsepower to 4 shafts.
• Speed: Maximum speed of 32 knots (59 km/h).
• Range: Operational range of 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 km) at 32 knots.
• Aircraft Capacity: Can carry up to 40 aircraft, including 24 Shenyang J-15 fighter jets and various helicopters.
• Armament: Equipped with 3 Type 1130 CIWS and 3 HQ-10 missile systems for defense.
• Crew: Approximately 1,960 personnel, with an additional 626 for the air group.

#9. Shandong (CV-17)

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Length: Approximately 315 meters.
• Width: 75 meters.
• Displacement: Around 70,000 tonnes when fully loaded.
• Propulsion: Conventional steam turbines powered by eight boilers drive four steam turbines.
• Speed: Capable of reaching speeds up to 31 knots.
• Aircraft Capacity: It can accommodate 36 to 40 aircraft, including Shenyang J-15 fighter jets and various helicopters.
• Flight Deck: Features a ski-jump ramp with a 12-degree incline for aircraft takeoff.
• Radar Systems: These are equipped with advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars for enhanced surveillance and targeting.
• Defensive Armament: Includes three Type 1130 close-in weapon systems (CIWS) and three HQ-10 missile launchers, each holding 18 missiles.
• Commissioning: Entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on December 19, 2019.

#10. Admiral Kuznetsov

(Source: wikipedia.org)

• Displacement: Approximately 55,000 tons standard, reaching up to 58,600 tons at full load.
• Dimensions: Measures 305 meters in length and 72 meters in beam.
• Propulsion: Powered by eight boilers and four steam turbines, delivering a total of 200,000 horsepower.
• Speed: Capable of achieving speeds up to 32 knots.
• Range: Can operate over a distance of 3,850 nautical miles at a speed of 32 knots.
• Aircraft Capacity: Accommodates approximately 17 fixed-wing aircraft and 24 helicopters.
• Armament: Equipped with 12 P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles, 192 Tor surface-to-air missiles, eight CADS-1 close-in weapon systems, eight AK-630 guns, and two RBU-12000 anti-submarine rocket launchers.
• Aircraft Launch System: Features a ski-jump ramp for aircraft takeoff, eliminating the need for catapult systems.
• Designation: Classified as a “heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser,” allowing passage through the Turkish Straits under the Montreux Convention.

Conclusion

Building and maintaining aircraft carriers is very expensive, but they are important for military strength. They allow countries to control the seas, carry fighter jets, and respond fast to conflicts. However, their high cost makes some people question if the money should be used for other needs. In the future, smaller ships or advanced technologies like drones might take their place.

Although aircraft carriers are useful today, their future depends on costs, security threats, and military plans. Each country must decide if spending so much on them is the best choice.