Indonesia has received the former Italian light aircraft carrier GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI, which is expected to be inducted into the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), following a refit and upgrade programme.

The 180m long vessel arrived in Jakarta on 18 September, following a 25-day voyage from Italy. The GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI will become Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier and was transferred to Indonesia by Italy at no cost. Thailand is the only other aircraft carrier operator in Southeast-Asia, operating the HTMS CHAKRI NARUEBET, which was built in Spain. The ITS GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI (C 551) entered service with the Italian Navy in 1985 and was decommissioned in 2024.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the TNI-AL will initially operate the ship primarily for disaster management and humanitarian-assistance missions. The vessel will also become part TNI-AL's Integrated Fleet Weapons System (SSAT).

Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin inspected the vessel, following its arrival including its physical condition, systems and flight deck. The Indonesian MoD said the ship was in good condition and would be optimized for Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), particularly disaster management and logistics distribution to remote areas, as well as defence missions.  

The Indonesian shipyard PT Penataran Angkatan Laut (PT PAL) is slated to undertake a full-refit of the aircraft carrier in partnership with Fincantieri, the original manufacturer of the aircraft carrier and other domestic and foreign firms. In addition to tropicalising the vessel for operations in Indonesia, various systems will be upgraded or replaced.

The GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI was escorted in Indonesian waters by two BRAWIJAYA-class frigates - KRI BRAWIJAYA-320 and KRI PRABU SILIWANGI-321 (both built by Fincantieri). The KRI BRAWIJAYA and KRI PRABU SILIWANGI were delivered in 2025.

The 13,850-tonne GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI is capable of carrying 10-18 medium/heavy class helicopters and drones. It can accommodate up to 830 personnel. Powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system comprising four General Electric/Avio LM2500 gas turbines, the warship can attain a maximum speed of 30 knots. It has a cruising range of 7,000 nautical miles at an economic speed of 20 knots. The flight deck can support simultaneous helicopter operations.

During its voyage to Indonesia, the GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI travelled 6,870 nm transiting across the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka providing logistics for refilling, refueling, and technical services.

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