Aircraft carriers belonging to European navies include the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales that will replace the Invincible, the Ark Royal and the Illustrious.

The Royal Navy maintains an independent role, aggressively whenever necessary, in the British tradition. It operates in concert with the US navy whenever circumstances allow it. Its carriers operate both fixed-wing aircraft and anti-submarine and air-sea rescue helicopters.

The French Marine Nationale operates the nuclear powered Charles de Gaulle, as was the case during the Libyan conflict three years ago, in an active role.

The Spanish navy has the Principe de Asturias. This vessel apparently plays a passive role, flying the national colours but mostly lies in port.

The Italian Marina Militare too operates the modern Giuseppe Garibaldi, with fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, in a largely passive role, mostly lying in port.

The fleet carrier Malta and its sister ships were planned towards the end of World War II in 1944 but they were cancelled two years later both for economic reasons and also in view of the end of the conflict.

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