Long Time Passing
Since World War Two, the naval world has been, for better or worse,
obsessed with the aircraft carrier. Following the conclusion of hostilities in
1945, nearly every world power that could afford to do so (and many that could
not) either laid down, leased, or acquired its own aircraft carriers in one way or
another. However, the cost of operating such weapons coupled with the
realization by many fleets that the jump to carrier heavy forces may have been
premature served to reduce the number of carriers worldwide to a fraction of
those in service at the height of the post-war carrier frenzy within only a
decade or so of this initial spike.
Nevertheless, carriers are still a powerful symbol and a deadly means of
projecting power. Much like the dreadnoughts of the early twentieth century,
possessing even a single one of these weapons is sufficient to raise the status
of any minor power in the eyes of the world, even if that minor power doesn't
have any intention of actually using the damn thing.
That having been said, where have all the flat-tops gone? The following lists all
known carriers currently in service or at least claimed as in-service warships
by their respective nationalities, current as of November, 2004. Note that this list
does not include so-called "helicopter" destroyers; these are not true carriers,
and are better classed as multi-role warships. What we're looking at here are
flat decked carriers carrying large wings of fixed and/or rotary wing aircraft,
rather than ships which are merely capable of supporting aircraft.
Brazil (2)
After having attempted to purchase its own carriers for several years, Brazil
finally managed to score quite a coup by purchasing two recently
decommissioned Clemenceau class light carriers from France in 2000 -
commissioned in Brazilian service as Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.
China (1)
Technically, China owns two carriers - but the Soviet helicopter carrier, Minsk,
is now a state-run theme park called "Minsk World", and quite a popular tourist
attraction at that. China also owns the incomplete ski-jump carrier Variag, and
various publications argue that China is either planning to activate the vessel
itself or to turn this into another theme park. Technically, the vessel is classed
as a merchant held interest, and this has aroused quite a lot of suspicion; on the
other hand, suspicion was also focused on claims of turning Minsk into a theme
park (some sort of 'Commie Plot', they said); and these turned out to be true.
So,who knows?
France (2)
France maintains two aircraft carriers at present. The first of these is the
nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which is apparently a technological
nightmare (her reactor failed on her maiden voyage, and she has never been
deployed for more than a few hours outside French waters). The light carrier
Clemenceau is kept in reserve, technically decommissioned, but used by the
French fleet as a training vessel and a backup for De Gaulle.
India (1)
India's sole aircraft carrier is the venerable Viraat, a highly modified light strike
carrier of the HMS Centaur class, purchased from Britain and considerably
modified. She is in excellent condition, but aging rapidly (carriers have a much
shorter life span than, say, battleships, owing to their peculiar requirements),
and India hopes to acquire a replacement by 2010.
Italy (5+1)
Italy has a fleet of several small VSTOL carriers, originally designed as
helicopter carriers, but some are now equipped with the ability to support
Harriers and other VSTOL aircraft. The fleet flagship, Giuseppi Garibaldi, is
supported by the helicopter carrier Vittorio Veneto, and a series of three smaller
amphibious assault ships with flight decks (amphibious ships might be termed
the 'baby flat-tops' of the modern age). A sixth vessel, Andrea Doria, is under
construction and due for completion in 2007. She will replace Vittorio Veneto.
Russia (2)
Surprisingly, the former Soviet Union did not particularly value aircraft carriers,
preferring to concentrate on warships intended for littoral warfare and fleet
engagements. Carriers were seen as support weapons, and not as the center
of any strike force. Several innovative designs were developed, however,
combining hybrids of cruiser and carrier technology. Russia's only true full
aircraft carrier, Kuznetsov, incorporates a ski-jump flight deck and a large wing
of aircraft, but has been plagued by technical problems. A single helicopter
carrier/cruiser hybrid, Gorshkov exists in a state of bad repair. The fleet intends
to refit her, but her extremely bad condition has led a number of sources to
speculate that this will probably never happen.
Spain (1)
Spain is currently one of the largest naval powers in NATO and her fleet is
highly respected by the world community. Principe de Asturias was built in
Spain, based upon the American "sea control ship" concept and considerably
improved. The ship has been extremely successful, more-so following a refit in
the late 1990s, and there have been plans for years to acquire at least one and
perhaps two more vessels of the same class. This is a "VSTOL" type ski-jump
design.
Thailand (1)
Thailand acquired an aircraft carrier from Spain in the 1990s which was, in
essence, a miniaturized version of Principe de Asturias. Chakri Nareubet
carriers a small wing of aircraft, and has been extensively outfitted as a sort of
over-priced royal pleasure barge. Command and control facilities have been
stripped out to make way for luxurious accommodations intended for the royal
family, and these have necessitated considerable re-fit and re-design. Though
she is quite an impressive vessel nonetheless, the refusal of the royal family to
risk the vessel in dangerous service and the bad state of the Thai economy
have virtually ensured that the ship spends most of its time laid up. Some have
called her "a floating harem with a flight deck". Rumors that Spain offered to buy
the vessel back from Thailand are apparently no longer valid.
United Kingdom (5)
Although the RN was on the brink of removing carriers from its arsenal entirely,
the Falklands War (1982) saved the carrier fleet, and indeed most of the Royal
Navy itself, from extinction by pressing home the relevance of naval operations
to budget minded politicians. There are currently three VSTOL carriers - Ark
Royal, Invincible, and Illustrious, supported by a relatively new helicopter carrier
(Ocean) and an auxiliary/training carrier, Argus. Of the three primary carriers, at
least one is always in refit or long term overhaul, as a cost cutting measure.
Recently, parliament approved the construction of two large fleet carriers, the
first built by the RN in almost fifty years, which will be laid down within the next
decade and may or may not replace the VSTOLs. These will be the largest
warships ever constructed in the UK.
United States (22+2)
Undoubtedly, the largest aircraft carrier fleet in the world is maintained by United
States. Ten of thirteen "super carriers" are classified as CVN (nuclear) carriers,
while the remainder are "diesel", or standard propulsion vessels. The largest
carrier yet is not yet complete - CVN-77 (not yet named), will replace Kitty Hawk
in 2008, and is slightly larger than the standard Nimitz class configuration -
which will make it the largest warship in history (at least until the CVX carriers
are laid down).
In addition, the US maintains a seven of "amphibious assault ships" (essentially
VSTOL carriers designed to support helicopters and VTOL aircraft), which are
nominally US Marine Corps vessels.
The final American "carrier" is in fact a "mine-countermeasures support ship",
essentially a multi-role helicopter carrier, USS Inchon.
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Where Have All The Flat-Tops Gone?
