Jakarta. Indonesia will have to replace the NATO communications systems on its ex-Italian carrier, according to a senior Navy official, while claiming that the vessel has not had any mishaps so far.

KRI Sriwijaya, formerly known as the Giuseppe Garibaldi, officially becomes Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier. Italy has donated the graying vessel to avoid its hefty dismantling costs. The ship, which Rome commissioned in the 1980s, has officially joined the Indonesian Navy’s fleet.

Naval Chief of Staff Muhammad Ali told reporters that the vessel – despite “being in very good condition” – would have to undergo some NATO-related adjustments.

“It is ready from an operational standpoint. However, we are planning to install Indonesia’s communications equipment. Italy uses NATO’s version. They won’t give them to non-NATO nations,” Ali said, speaking right in front of the KRI Sriwijaya ship.

Replacing the NATO communications systems would take “between four and five months”.

The 32-strong NATO brings together half of the world’s military might, including Germany, France, and the US. Indonesia has long stuck to a “free and active” foreign policy where it avoids joining any military alliances. 

According to Ali, the Defense Ministry has earmarked spending for the carrier’s annual maintenance, without disclosing how much budget is allotted. The ministry has its spending capped at Rp 187 trillion (almost $10.5 billion) this year. Some Rp 83.5 trillion ($4.7 trillion) is allocated for military modernization.

Ali went on to say that the carrier should be ready to even assist the firefighting operations. Asked about its first mission, the admiral replied: “We shall wait for instructions, but in principle, it is ready.” 

The ship’s retrofitting would involve Indonesia’s shipbuilder PT PAL and its Italian counterpart Fincantieri. The Navy has not decided on the exact date for when it should upgrade the carrier, with Ali only saying that the retrofit “can happen in the near future”. 

“We shall do [the upgrades] as quickly as possible if the situation calls for it,” Ali explained.

President Prabowo Subianto wants KRI Sriwijaya to help tame Indonesia’s raging forest fires. He had proposed that the ship be refurbished to be able to carry  “up to 10 medium helicopters” that will drop large volumes of water onto the flames.

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