.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
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.
9. 5 - Shandong
Shandong, the first domestically built Chinese aircraft carrier, weighs 70,000 tonnes when fully loaded and is 305m long. China is actively increasing the size of its navy. | MAY JAMES/AFP via Getty Images
10. 4 - Queen Elizabeth-class carriers
HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the mightiest ships in the Royal Navy fleet, weigh an estimated 80,600 tonnes when fully loaded, and is 284m long. | Sarah Standing (170325-3145)
11. 3 - CNS Fujian
Launched in 2022, aircraft carrier weighs between 80,000-85,000 tonnes when full loaded, and is 316m long. | Wikipedia
12. 2 - Nimitz-class aircraft carriers
The US Navy currently has various Nimitz-class ships at its disposal, including the USS Harry S Truman (pictured). Each vessel weighs just over 100,000 tonnes when fully loaded and is 332.8m long. | Jason R. Zalasky/U.S. Navy via Getty Images