warship

Warship is a vessel designed for naval warfare and operated by a nation's navy. Unlike merchant ships, warships are armed, self-propelled and built to operate at sea under combat conditions. Their primary roles include sea control, power projection, escort, anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, and force projection for land operations. Modern warships are categorized by function: surface combatants such as aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes, and submarines, including attack submarines and ballistic-missile submarines. They can also include amphibious assault ships and mine warfare vessels. Surface ships typically combine missiles, guns, sensors, aircraft (carriers) and close-in defense systems, and rely on advanced communications and networked warfare. Propulsion ranges from conventional steam, diesel and gas turbines to nuclear power for some submarines and aircraft carriers, delivering long endurance and high speed.

Historically, warships evolved from ancient galleys and sailing ships of the line to ironclads, dreadnoughts and guided-missile armed vessels. The postwar era brought missiles, radar, automated fire-control, and, for some fleets, nuclear propulsion. In the modern era, warships emphasize multi-mission capability, long-range strike, integrated air defense, stealth features, and unmanned systems, while remaining subject to international law and naval doctrine.