Combat Aircraft Journal Magazine Carrier Fleets 2024 Édition spéciale

In Carrier Fleets 2024, we describe the world’s aircraft carrier fleets, looking at which navies have flat tops and their plans to build more of these monster ships.

Today, there are three main types of aircraft carriers. Strike carriers are optimised to attack targets ashore with waves of attack jets. Anti-submarine or sea control carriers are optimised to dominate sea zones, both above and below the water. Flat top amphibious assault ships are built to project contingents of marines ashore by helicopter and landing craft, supported by jump jets operating from them.

As well as looking at the world’s carriers and the aircraft squadrons that fly from them, this 116-page special by the team behind Combat Aircraft Journal also describes how navies use them in their battle plans and national defence strategies. Recent combat operations in the Red Sea involving flat tops are also examined to find pointers to the future of flat top aviation.

An increasing number of navies want to add carriers to their fleets, despite their huge cost. Ten navies currently operate 35 carriers, and seven more carriers are under construction, with seven more planned. The prestige and combat power of aircraft carriers is in high demand.