On April 6, 2025, satellite images of North Korea captured by Maxar Technologies found a potentially concerning sight. According to reporting, the satellite images displayed a huge warship being built that is larger than any ship North Korea has ever had in its fleet. At 459 feet long, the FFG is believed to be “a guided-missile frigate with the capacity to launch missiles against targets on both land and sea.” Experts believe that the boat, which would be double the size of anything North Korea has built in the past, is an effort to enhance the country’s navy and make North Korea a larger global force. However, despite the fact that the ship is the largest North Korea has ever built, it does not stand anywhere close to the size of warships from other nations, some of which are double or nearly triple the size. (These 20 facts about America’s enemies should make people nervous.)
To identify the largest and longest warships in the world, 24/7 Wall St. performed extensive research using sources such as The National Interest, Military Factory’s Warships and Submarines Index, the U.S. Naval Institute, HII, and the U.S. Navy, among others. While many of these ships are under U.S. naval control, several other countries also have large warships in their fleets. We listed the ships in order of length from shortest to longest. Supplemental information such as country, class, displacement, and crew, as well as additional ship information, came from Military Factory and was verified using other sources.
This previously published article was updated in April 2025 to provide an overview of warship development on a global scale and further discuss the impact of this development.
Why We’re Currently Covering Warships
Countries with powerful navies and significant naval fleets find themselves in a stronger military position. That’s why countries are always developing and innovating their ships: Japan by testing naval electromagnetic railguns on its warships, for example. With China by potentially outbuilding the U.S. in ships, and the U.S. continuing its conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen, warships seem more important to establishing global dominance and controlling opposing forces than ever. Understanding where current naval capabilities stand gives you more insight into how each country would fare if naval warfare broke out imminently. These ships also shape economic stability, as warships protect critical trade routes and influence the energy and defense sectors.
Here are the nine largest warships in the world:
9. USS America
- Country: United States
- Class: America-class amphibious assault ship
- Displacement: 45,693 tons
- Length: 844 feet
- Crew: 1,700
Named after its country, the USS America is the flagship of the America-class amphibious assault ship. The ship’s primary mission is to be the flagship of any expeditionary fighting force to land Marines anywhere in the world, supported by the ship’s complement of Harrier, Osprey, helicopter, and fixed-wing aircraft. The ship is powered by two gas turbines capable of moving the ship up to 25 knots. Currently, the USS America is stationed in Japan. The USS America won the 2023 Battle Effectiveness Award.
8. Charles de Gaulle
- Country: France
- Class: Charles de Gaulle-class
- Displacement: 42,500 tons
- Length: 857 feet, 11 inches
- Crew: 1,950
The centerpiece of the French Navy, first launched in 1994, the Charles de Gaulle is the country’s 10th aircraft carrier but its first nuclear-powered surface vessel. This makes the Charles de Gaulle the only nuclear-powered carrier not used by the U.S. Navy. Carrying up to 40 different aircraft, the Charles de Gaulle can hold around 45 days of food with unlimited distance and carry up to 800 commandos at any time. The ship also has four surface-to-air missile launches, short-range missiles, and 20mm autocannons.
7. INS Vikrant
- Country: India
- Class: N/A
- Displacement: 50,000 tons
- Length: 861 feet
- Crew: 1,645
India’s fourth aircraft carrier — and the first to be built in-country — was commissioned in September 2022. Currently in service using four gas-turbine General Electric engines, the name Vikrant is a tribute to the country’s first aircraft carrier, launched in 1961. Standing for “courageous,” the INS Vikrant is one of two aircraft carriers used by the Indian Navy. The ship holds up to 36 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, carrying four CWIS defensive weapons and 2 SAM missile launchers.
6. HMS Prince of Wales
- Country: United Kingdom
- Class: Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
- Displacement: 88,800 tons
- Length: 932 feet
- Crew: 1,600
One of two identical aircraft carriers in the United Kingdom’s fleet, the HMS Prince of Wales was commissioned in December 2019. The ship is the eighth vessel in the Royal Navy to bear the name Prince of Wales. Like its sister ship, the Prince of Wales can hold up to 65 different aircraft. Its defensive measures include CIWS, heavy machine guns, and Mk2 guns, as well as the F-35 Lightning II attack aircraft.
5. HMS Queen Elizabeth
- Country: United Kingdom
- Class: Queen Elizabeth-class
- Displacement: 88,800
- Length: 932 feet
- Crew: 1,600
Arguably the fastest aircraft carrier in the world, the United Kingdom’s HMS Queen Elizabeth can push 32 knots (approximately 36.8 miles per hour). Using conventional propulsion, the Queen Elizabeth can carry up to 36 aircraft or 65 combined aircraft and helicopters, including the F-35B Lightning II. The Queen Elizabeth is also armed with multiple defensive measures, including CIWS, MK2 guns, and 6 Browning .50 caliber heavy machine guns.
4. Shandong
- Country: China
- Class: Type 002
- Displacement: 70,000 tons
- Length: 1,000 feet, 8 inches
- Crew: N/A
Launched in 2017, the People’s Republic of China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier was the Shandong, a 1,000-foot-long Type 002 ship. Designed similarly to aircraft carriers the Soviet Union built, the Shandong includes a ski-jump ramp to help propel aircraft off the ship. This contrasts with the catapult method that other nations, like the United States, use. The vessel is suspected to be using four conventional steam turbines for power.
3. Fujian
- Country: China
- Class: Fujian class
- Displacement: 85,000 tons
- Length: 1,036 feet, 9 inches
- Crew: N/A
Currently undergoing sea trials, the Fujian-class Fujian aircraft carrier will be China’s first catapult-assisted aircraft carrier. Although it is believed to be the largest aircraft built outside the United States, details remain heavily protected by the Chinese government. What we do know is that the ship is expected to be able to hold 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 12 helicopters and will be powered by a combination of steam turbines and diesel generators.
2. USS Nimitz
- Country: United States
- Class: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
- Displacement: 100,000 tons
- Length: 1,092 feet
- Crew: 5,000
The namesake of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz has long been a flagship of the US aircraft carrier fleet. Holding over 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, the Nimitz includes many defensive weapons, including sea sparrows, rolling airframe missiles, phalanx CIWS, and fifty-caliber turrets. Nuclear-powered, the Nimitz has been sailing since 1967 and is now the oldest aircraft carrier in the world.
1. USS Gerald R. Ford
- Country: United States
- Class: Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier
- Displacement: 100,000 tons
- Length: 1,106 feet
- Crew: 4,539
The first in what will see a series of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for the United States Navy, the United States intends to include 10 ships to replace its current aircraft carrier lineup. Named for former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, the ship was commissioned into service in July 2017. With approximately 4,500 crew members on board, this floating city includes 75 aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and many defensive guns.
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