Which type of naval ship is classified as the largest surface warship in a fleet?

The largest surface warship in a fleet is classified as an aircraft carrier. Aircraft carriers are designed to serve as seagoing military airbases, equipped with a flight deck for launching, recovering, and handling aircraft. They can carry a significant number of aircraft and personnel, along with advanced technology and weaponry, making them central to naval power projection.

In comparison to other types of naval vessels, aircraft carriers stand out not only due to their size but also because of their strategic role in naval operations. While cruisers, destroyers, and frigates are all essential components of a naval fleet, they typically serve different missions such as escorting carrier strike groups, engaging enemy surface ships, or performing anti-submarine warfare. Their physical dimensions and capabilities do not match the scale and capacity of aircraft carriers, which are built to support and launch air operations while maintaining a strong defensive and offensive presence at sea.