The +60000 tonne club

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There are only 4 countries in the world atm capable of building a +60000 tonne displacement ship:

1. USA

2. UK

3. China

4. Japan (capable but not yet built one)

 

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For example, Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has a full displacement of 55200 tons (perhaps Russia will join this club with their next AC):

 

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By contrast, French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the country's one and only nuclear-powered AC comes in at a full displacement of only 42500 tonnes:

 

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Similarly, the Italian Navy's aircraft carriers Cavour (top) and Giuseppe Garibaldi (bottom) each have a full displacement of 31000 t and 10100 t respectively. (These figures demonstrate what an awesome feat it is just to have the capability to build a +60000 t ship!):

 

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These are rather old images, but they illustrate the point succinctly (UK will soon have 2 AC's in service). USA, UK, and China are the only countries that have launched aircraft carrier(s) with full displacement of over 60000 tons!

 

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China's first aircraft carrier CV-16 Liaoning (55000t full displacement) does not belong to this club, since it is a refurbished Ukrainian vessel that was originally the sister ship of the Admiral Kuznetsov:

 

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OT: J-15 "Navy Fighter" (the airplane that will be deployed on China's 1st and 2nd AC's with ski-jump ramps)

 

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CV-16 Liaoning (55000t full displacement): From rusty hull purchased from the Ukraine in 1999 to combat-ready carrier battle group in 2016

 

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CV-16 Liaoning (continued):

 

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CV-16 Liaoning (continued):

 

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J-15's roaring in the sky above CV-16 Liaoning, which became combat-ready in late 2016: