Aircraft carriers are generally the largest ships operated by navies; a Nimitz class carrier powered by two nuclear reactors and four steam turbines is 1092 feet (333 m) long and costs about $4.5 billion. The United States has the majority of aircraft carriers with eleven in service, one under construction, and one on order (it has to be noted that all of them are supercarriers), and is also the only country with supercarriers. Its aircraft carriers are a cornerstone of American power projection capability.
Nine countries maintain a total of 22 (+8 under construction) aircraft carriers in active service: United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Italy, India, Spain, Brazil, and Thailand. In addition the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy possesses the former Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag, but most naval analysts believe that they have no intention to operate it, and instead are using Varyag to learn about carrier operations for future Chinese aircraft carriers. The United States, Brazil, South Korea, United Kingdom, the People's Republic of China, India, Japan, Australia and France also operate vessels capable of carrying and operating multiple helicopters.
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