| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.39 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 2.53 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 12.75 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | North America |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Analysis
The Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size is estimated at USD 1.39 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 2.53 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 12.75% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The increasing geopolitical issues and territorial disputes between various nations led to the procurement of aircraft carrier ships, which can be attributed to the growth of the market. Also, the increasing investments in replacing the existing fleet with newer generation carrier ships will accelerate market growth. Aircraft carrier ships may continue operations for several years by providing strength to the naval forces. However, the high maintenance costs associated with such ships shall prove to be a restraint for various regions. Asia-Pacific is one of the global hotspots for military conflicts. The increasing number of territorial issues in the region propelled the countries to procure advanced aircraft carrier ships.
Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Trends
The Nuclear Powered Segment to Dominate the Market
The nuclear-powered segment is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period. It is because of the larger capacity of carrying over twice the volume of aircraft fuel as compared to the conventionally powered aircraft carrier. In addition to endurance, its nuclear reactors give the ship greater space for aviation fuel, ordnance, and stores, which are important advantages over oil-powered carriers. The collaboration of shipbuilding companies with manufacturers of various systems onboard naval vessels, like communication, propulsion, and missile defense, to develop and deploy advanced aircraft carriers with a low cost of maintenance is anticipated to drive the growth of the segment.
Furthermore, increased focus on maritime security and high usage of nuclear energy are the main factors driving the market. In September 2022, India inducted INS Vikrant, the country's indigenous nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. In the same year, French shipbuilding firm Naval Group introduced its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier concept PANG during the 2022 Euronaval trade conference in Paris. PANG will be designed to carry up to 32 fighter jets and a large number of helicopters. However, countries like Malaysia and Thailand decommissioned their nuclear aircraft carriers as they incur high maintenance costs. It is one of the major challenges for the growth of the segment.
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North America Will Showcase Significant Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period
North America is anticipated to show the highest growth during the forecast period due to the high defense spending and rapidly increasing R&D investments in this region. The US Navy's investment in naval vessels is increasing to support its fleet expansion plans to reach its goal of 355 ship fleets by 2030. The procurement plan included five Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers (to be delivered and deployed between 2022 and 2034) and USS Enterprise (CVN 80) carriers (replacing CVN 65 aircraft carriers), which will be delivered during 2028-2032.
In addition, the US Navy is focusing on the modernization of existing aircraft carriers. HII's Newport News Shipbuilding, which builds the Navy's aircraft carriers, had a record amount of aircraft carrier work at its shipyard in 2022. John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is in the final stages of construction at Newport News and is slated to deliver to the Navy in 2024. In March 2023, the US Navy announced its plan to extend Nimitz as part of a five-and-a-half-month maintenance availability that will carry the carrier into May 2026. The factors above are anticipated to support the growth of the market in the region during the forecast period.
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Aircraft Carrier Ship Industry Overview
The aircraft carrier ship market is consolidated in nature. The prominent players in the aircraft carrier ship market are NAVANTIA SA, BAE Systems plc, General Dynamics Corporation, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., and Naval Group.
The shipbuilding companies form long-term contracts with governments for the construction of aircraft carriers. HII supports US aircraft carrier construction programs. Naval Group, BAE Systems, and Navantia are some of the companies that support aircraft carrier programs in Europe.
In the Asia-Pacific region, many public-private partnerships support aircraft carrier construction in the region. For instance, INS Vishal Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 2 (IAC-2) is a planned aircraft carrier to be built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, which is to be commissioned in the 2030s. As the program is in its nascent stages, many companies will have a chance to become a part of the program in the coming years. The upcoming procurements and maintenance and modernization programs are anticipated to support the growth strategies of the companies.
Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Leaders
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BAE Systems plc
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General Dynamics Corporation
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Naval Group
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NAVANTIA, S.A.
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Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Aircraft Carrier Ship Market News
- March 2023: The US Navy announced its plan to extend Nimitz as part of a five-and-a-half-month maintenance availability that will carry the carrier into May 2026.
- June 2022: China launched its third advanced aircraft carrier, Fujian, which will use an advanced electromagnetic catapult system to launch planes from its deck.
Aircraft Carrier Ship Industry Segmentation
An aircraft carrier is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and used for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft.
The aircraft carrier market is segmented by type, technology, configuration, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into amphibious assault ships, helicopter carriers, and fleet carriers. By technology, the market is segmented into conventional-powered and nuclear-powered. By configuration, the market is classified into Catapult-assisted Take-off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR), Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR), and Short Take-off but Vertical Recovery (STOVL). The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the aircraft carrier ship market in major countries across different regions. For each segment, the market size is provided in terms of value (USD).
| Type | Amphibious Assault Ship | ||
| Helicopter Carrier | |||
| Fleet Carrier | |||
| Technology | Conventional Powered | ||
| Nuclear Powered | |||
| Configuration | Catapult-assisted Take-off Barrier Arrested-recovery (CATOBAR) | ||
| Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) | |||
| Short Take-off but Vertical Recovery (STOVL) | |||
| Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Russia | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | India | ||
| China | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Japan | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Rest of the World | |||
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Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Research FAQs
How big is the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market?
The Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size is expected to reach USD 1.39 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 12.75% to reach USD 2.53 billion by 2030.
What is the current Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size?
In 2025, the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size is expected to reach USD 1.39 billion.
Who are the key players in Aircraft Carrier Ship Market?
BAE Systems plc, General Dynamics Corporation, Naval Group, NAVANTIA, S.A. and Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. are the major companies operating in the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Aircraft Carrier Ship Market?
North America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Aircraft Carrier Ship Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Aircraft Carrier Ship Market.
What years does this Aircraft Carrier Ship Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size was estimated at USD 1.21 billion. The report covers the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Aircraft Carrier Ship Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Aircraft Carrier Ship market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Aircraft Carrier Ship analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
