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As the equipment gets more robust and capabilities increase in lethality, many of the vessels have become humungous in size. Most of them are aircraft carriers, built to host various fighter jets and helicopters while complete with huge guns and other weaponry.
The Royal Navy faces competition from militaries globally, with certain nations pushing to bolster their fleets. Some of these vessels may be familiar to Portsmouth residents, as they have either been spotted in the Solent or have conducted exercises alongside British forces.
These are the 13 biggest warships in the world, ranked by their gross tonnage when fully loaded. Length measurements are also included.
5. 9 - FNS Charles de Gaulle
The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is the largest vessel in the French fleet. Conducting her maiden voyage in 2001, she is 261.5m long and weighs 42,500 tonnes when fully loaded. | ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images
6. 8 - INS Vikrant
The aircraft carrier is the largest in the Indian Navy. Commissioned in 2022, she is weighs 45,000 tonnes when fully loaded and is 262.5m long. | ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images
7. 7 - America-class amphibious assault ships
The US Navy currently has two America-class amphibious assault ships under its disposal, with three more in the pipeline. Current examples are USS America (pictured) and USS Tripoli. They are 257m long and weigh 45,693 tonnes when fully loaded. | Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
8. 6 - Admiral Kuznetsov
The Russian aircraft carrier has served as the flagship in the country's navy. Made fully operational in 1995, she is 58,600 tonnes when fully loaded and is 305m long. She is currently undergoing a major overhaul, with the process starting in 2017. | ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images