Indonesia Acquires First Aircraft Carrier From Italy

The Indonesian Navy acquired its first aircraft carrier on September 18, 2026, as the former Italian warship ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi docked at Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. Gifted by the Government of Italy to strengthen defense ties and avoid decommissioning costs, the 41-year-old vessel will be commissioned as the KRI Sriwijaya. The ship is scheduled for a formal inauguration on October 4 during a naval parade celebrating the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.

President Prabowo Subianto intends to refurbish the vessel into a mobile command center for helicopters and drones to enhance maritime security and disaster response, particularly for combating forest fires. The ship will be based at the Ratai Bay Naval Base in Lampung, South Sumatra, where the navy is currently constructing a pier and support facilities. To prepare for the arrival, the TNI AL Fleet Command trained 310 crew members in operational readiness.

The acquisition has triggered domestic debate over fiscal responsibility. While the ship was gifted, Indonesia paid between €54 million and $60 million for delivery. Although the Ministry of Finance approved $450 million for the program in 2025, some lawmakers warn that retrofitting costs could reach 16 trillion rupiah, or approximately $900 million. Critics question the necessity of maintaining an aging vessel amid current national fiscal pressures.