Armored warship

In the modern sense, an armored warship is a naval vessel, partially or fully covered with metal armor as a passive defense against gunfire. Examples of the type began to come into service in the mid-19th century, although metal armor alone was obsolete as a defense against guided missiles. Very few were built after World War II and none are in service.

Modern warships may include armor, typically ceramic or composite, as part of their overall protection scheme. Today's doctrine, however, is to avoid being hit rather than surviving a hit.