CARRIERS provide military forces with the ability to project combat power from floating airfields across the worlds’ ocean. With their embarked force of fighter aircraft, they can demonstrate political intent, support humanitarian operations and if needed launch a kinetic attack on an adversary.
In the 21st century, the so called ‘carrier club’ is small, but growing. The United States and the United Kingdom field the newest and biggest carriers in the world. China has joined the carrier club and is building more along with India, France, Egypt, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Turkey and Spain. Thailand retains a carrier in service but it is not regarded as an operational platform.
Russia has a powerful naval air force, but its sole carrier, the Kuznetsov, is outdated and limited in its…