Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Aircraft Carrier Ship Market is Segmented by Type (Amphibious Assault Ship, Helicopter Carrier, and Fleet Carrier), Technology (Conventional Powered and Nuclear Powered), Configuration (Catapult-Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested-Recovery (CATOBAR), Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR), and Short Take-Off but Vertical Recovery (STOVL)), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecast for all the Above Segments in Value (USD).

Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Size

Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Market Size (2024) USD 1.23 Billion
Market Size (2029) USD 2.25 Billion
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 12.75 %
Fastest Growing Market North America
Largest Market North America

Major Players

Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Analysis

The Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size is estimated at USD 1.23 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 2.25 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 12.75% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

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.

Aircraft Carrier Ship Market: Aircraft Carrier Ship Active Fleet (Units), By Country, 2023

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.

Aircraft Carrier Ship Market - Growth Rate by Region (2023 - 2028)

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

  1. BAE Systems plc

  2. General Dynamics Corporation

  3. Naval Group

  4. NAVANTIA, S.A.

  5. 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 Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
  • 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 Type
    • 5.1.1 Amphibious Assault Ship
    • 5.1.2 Helicopter Carrier
    • 5.1.3 Fleet Carrier
  • 5.2 Technology
    • 5.2.1 Conventional Powered
    • 5.2.2 Nuclear Powered
  • 5.3 Configuration
    • 5.3.1 Catapult-assisted Take-off Barrier Arrested-recovery (CATOBAR)
    • 5.3.2 Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR)
    • 5.3.3 Short Take-off but Vertical Recovery (STOVL)
  • 5.4 Geography
    • 5.4.1 North America
    • 5.4.1.1 United States
    • 5.4.1.2 Canada
    • 5.4.2 Europe
    • 5.4.2.1 Germany
    • 5.4.2.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.4.2.3 France
    • 5.4.2.4 Russia
    • 5.4.2.5 Rest of Europe
    • 5.4.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.4.3.1 India
    • 5.4.3.2 China
    • 5.4.3.3 South Korea
    • 5.4.3.4 Japan
    • 5.4.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.4.4 Rest of the World

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Vendor Market Share
  • 6.2 Company Profiles
    • 6.2.1 Lockheed Martin Corporation
    • 6.2.2 BAE Systems plc
    • 6.2.3 Naval Group
    • 6.2.4 General Dynamics Corporation
    • 6.2.5 HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    • 6.2.6 Northrop Grumman Corporation
    • 6.2.7 THALES
    • 6.2.8 FINCANTIERI S.p.A.
    • 6.2.9 Leonardo S.p.A
    • 6.2.10 NAVANTIA, S.A.
  • *List Not Exhaustive

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

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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
Geography Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Russia
Rest of Europe
Geography Asia-Pacific India
China
South Korea
Japan
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Geography Rest of the World
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Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Research FAQs

The Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size is expected to reach USD 1.23 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 12.75% to reach USD 2.25 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size is expected to reach USD 1.23 billion.

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.

North America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).

In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Aircraft Carrier Ship Market.

In 2023, the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size was estimated at USD 1.07 billion. The report covers the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Aircraft Carrier Ship Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Aircraft Carrier Ship Industry Report

Statistics for the 2024 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 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

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Aircraft Carrier Ship Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)