Indonesia to Acquire Ex-Italian Aircraft Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi
- Indonesia is poised to become the second Southeast Asian nation to operate an aircraft carrier after the departure of the former Italian Navy ship Giuseppe Garibaldi from Italy,...
- According to Admiral Ali, the ship is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia between September 15 and 20.
- Furthermore, Italy is covering the estimated €54 million ($64 million) transfer cost.
Indonesia is poised to become the second Southeast Asian nation to operate an aircraft carrier after the departure of the former Italian Navy ship Giuseppe Garibaldi from Italy, according to Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali. The vessel left port early in the week on a journey expected to last more than 20 days, passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, with the transit supported by Italian frigates.
Voyage Timeline and Transfer of Command
According to Admiral Ali, the ship is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia between September 15 and 20. Throughout the transit, the vessel will retain its Italian identity and sail under the Italian flag as the Giuseppe Garibaldi. A formal transfer of command will take place upon arrival, at which point the ship will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada.
Acquisition Terms and Broader Defense Package
Furthermore, Italy is covering the estimated €54 million ($64 million) transfer cost. Defense outlet TWZ notes that the carrier acquisition serves as a strategic component tied to a larger assortment of arms deals with Italy. Those complementary acquisitions reportedly include M-346 Master aircraft, ATR-72 maritime patrol aircraft, and six small submarines from DRASS, alongside an existing Indonesian order for two French Scorpène-class submarines placed in 2024.
Operational Role and Aviation Capabilities
Commissioned in 1985, the Giuseppe Garibaldi has a full load displacement of approximately 13,850 tons. It was initially classified as a helicopter cruiser before being redesignated as an aircraft-carrying cruiser in 1989 to operate AV-8B Harrier II jump jets. While speculation exists regarding whether Indonesia might acquire a squadron of AV-8B Harriers, analysts suggest that operating those jets remains costly, making it more probable that Indonesia will restrict flight operations to helicopters and drones. Jakarta plans to utilize the vessel primarily as a helicopter-capable aviation platform accommodating aircraft from the Indonesian Navy, Air Force, and Army.
Regional Context and Crew Training
The addition places Indonesia alongside Thailand as the only operators of aircraft carriers in Southeast Asia, nearly three decades after the Royal Thai Navy commissioned the HTMS Chakri Naruebet in 1997. Antara News reports that approximately 400 to 500 Indonesian Navy personnel are designated to crew the ship, with an initial group of 100 personnel sent to Italy for specialized training. Ahead of the ship’s arrival, the Indonesian Navy has established a training facility at Juanda Naval Air Station in Sidoarjo, East Java, where a large outline of a carrier flight deck has been painted on an apron to familiarize pilots and deck crews with flight-deck procedures.
