Jakarta. The Indonesian Navy is preparing a naval base in Lampung for the country’s first aircraft carrier, the Giuseppe Garibaldi, which is expected to enter Indonesian service in September under a new name, KRI Gajah Mada.

The former Italian Navy vessel, transferred to Indonesia as a grant from the Italian government, has departed Italy for a voyage of more than 20 days to Lampung, where preparations are underway for its formal induction into the Indonesian Navy.

“Infrastructure preparations at the base in Lampung are now in the final stages and are expected to be completed by the time the Garibaldi arrives in Indonesia,” Navy spokesman Tunggul said on Tuesday.

Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali previously said the Garibaldi departed Italy on Monday night for Indonesia and remains under the Italian flag during the voyage.

The ship is expected to spend more than 20 days at sea, passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea while being escorted by an Italian warship, Ali said.

The formal transfer is scheduled for Sept. 25, when the Italian flag will be replaced by the Indonesian flag and the vessel will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada.

“On Sept. 25, the flag will be changed to the Indonesian flag and the name will be changed from Garibaldi to Gajah Mada. President Prabowo Subianto is expected to officiate at the ceremony and be on board the aircraft carrier,” Ali said.

Add as a preferred source on Google +