List of aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy

The following is a list of fleet aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.

There are two carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, currently in service.

HMS Unicorn
HMS Unicorn was an aircraft repair ship and light aircraft carrier; an "aircraft maintenance carrier".

Colossus class


The 1942 Design Light Fleet Carriers were designed and constructed by civilian shipyards to serve as an intermediate step between the expensive, full-size fleet aircraft carriers and the less expensive but limited-capability escort carriers. Perseus and Pioneer were modified to operate as maintenance carriers.

Majestic class


The 1942 design was modified to take more modern aircraft and these ships became the Majestic-class. Not completed until after the end of the war, most ended up purchased by other navies.