What term describes a large fleet of warships?

The term "Armada" specifically refers to a large fleet of warships. Historically, the term gained prominence during the late 16th century when it was used to describe the Spanish Armada that attempted to invade England in 1588. An armada typically denotes a significant maritime force organized for warfare or other military operations at sea.

Other terms listed may refer to groups of ships, but they do not encapsulate the idea of a large fleet as comprehensively as "armada" does. A "battle fleet," for instance, is a term that might suggest a fleet prepared primarily for combat, but it is often more specific to a certain operation rather than a general designation of size or scope. "Privateers" refers to privately owned ships authorized to engage in warfare and capture enemy vessels, focusing on individual ships or small groups rather than a large fleet. "Naval squad" could imply a smaller formation of ships operating together, thus not conveying the full scale indicated by "armada."