Jakarta. Indonesia is set to enter a new chapter in its naval modernization with the expected arrival of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a decommissioned Italian aircraft carrier that will become the largest and most capable warship ever operated by the Indonesian Navy.

The vessel, donated by Italy, is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia in October 2026 after undergoing upgrades in Taranto. Its induction marks the first time Indonesia will operate an aircraft carrier, significantly expanding the navy's ability to conduct maritime security, humanitarian, and joint military operations.

What is Giuseppe Garibaldi?
Giuseppe Garibaldi is a light aircraft carrier built for the Italian Navy in the 1980s. Commissioned in 1985, it was Italy's first warship designed with a full-length flight deck capable of operating fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

Although smaller than the supercarriers operated by the United States, the vessel has served as Italy's flagship for decades and participated in military operations in Somalia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Libya.

Why is Italy giving the ship to Indonesia?
Unlike most military acquisitions, Giuseppe Garibaldi is being transferred to Indonesia as a donation rather than a purchase.

Italian authorities opted to donate the retired aircraft carrier because dismantling the vessel would cost significantly more than keeping it in service. According to a parliamentary report cited by Reuters, Italy expects to spend about €5 million ($5.8 million) in 2025 to maintain the ship until its transfer, while scrapping it could cost nearly €19 million ($22 million). The vessel is estimated to be worth around €54 million ($62.7 million).

For Indonesia, the arrangement allows the Navy to acquire its first aircraft carrier without paying for the ship itself. Instead, Jakarta will bear the cost of refurbishing and adapting the vessel for Indonesian operational requirements before it enters service under a new name.

Why is Indonesia acquiring it?
The acquisition is part of Indonesia's broader effort to modernize its armed forces and strengthen maritime capabilities across the world's largest archipelagic nation.

Unlike many of Indonesia's existing surface combatants, Giuseppe Garibaldi provides a mobile platform for aviation operations at sea. It can support troop deployments, disaster relief, search-and-rescue missions, anti-submarine warfare and command-and-control operations far from shore.

The carrier is also expected to enhance interoperability with regional and international partners during joint exercises.

Where will it be based?
The Indonesian Navy is preparing supporting infrastructure ahead of the ship's arrival.

According to Navy spokesperson Commodore Tunggul, Naval Base (Lanal) Lampung is among the facilities being upgraded to accommodate the carrier, including berthing and logistical support.

What are its capabilities?
The 180.2-meter vessel displaces about 13,800 tons and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots, or roughly 56 kilometers per hour.

It uses a combined gas turbine and gas turbine (COGAG) propulsion system powered by four General Electric/Avio LM2500 gas turbines producing around 82,000 shaft horsepower. At an economical cruising speed of 20 knots, the ship has an operational range of approximately 7,000 nautical miles.

The carrier can accommodate around 600 crew members, approximately 230 air wing personnel and about 100 command staff. It can also transport hundreds of additional troops when required.

What aircraft can it operate?
Giuseppe Garibaldi was designed around the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) concept, allowing it to operate aircraft capable of short take-offs and vertical landings.

While Indonesia is not expected to deploy STOVL fighter jets immediately, the carrier can operate multiple helicopters for transport, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious assault, surveillance, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions.

This helicopter capability is expected to be the vessel's primary role in Indonesian service.

How well armed is it?
Unlike many aircraft carriers that rely heavily on escort ships for protection, Giuseppe Garibaldi carries substantial self-defense systems.

Its original configuration includes:

• Surface-to-air missile launchers capable of firing Aspide air defense missiles.
• Breda 40 mm twin anti-aircraft guns for close-range defense.
• Lightweight torpedo launchers for anti-submarine warfare.

The vessel previously carried OTOMAT anti-ship missiles, but these launchers were removed in 2003 to expand flight deck operations.

Why is the ship historically significant?
Named after Italian nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi, the carrier was launched in 1983 and entered service in 1985.

It was the largest warship ever built for the Italian Navy at the time and remained Italy's flagship for many years. The ship also gained recognition as one of the world's smallest operational aircraft carriers before being surpassed by Thailand's Chakri Naruebet in the 1990s.

During more than three decades of service, it supported combat and peacekeeping operations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The arrival of Giuseppe Garibaldi represents more than the addition of a new warship. It signals Indonesia's ambition to project greater maritime capability across its vast archipelago and surrounding waters.

While the vessel is not comparable to nuclear-powered supercarriers operated by major naval powers, it will provide the Indonesian Navy with a significant increase in aviation, logistics, and command capabilities.

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