Indonesia has taken delivery of its first aircraft carrier, welcoming the former Italian Navy warship ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C-551) amid domestic debate over the aging vessel’s cost and strategic value.
The 41-year-old platform was escorted from Europe by two Indonesian Navy Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol boats before docking for an official induction ceremony.
Rome transferred the retired warship in March 2026 to bolster defense cooperation and secure future sales of submarines and aircraft to the Southeast Asian country.
Jakarta will formally commission the carrier in late September as the KRI Sriwijaya (100).
Upkeep and Operational Concerns
The carrier’s acquisition has drawn sharp criticism from Indonesia’s parliament and defense analysts over sustainment expenses and operational utility.
While Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance approved $450 million in funding for the program, lawmakers warn retrofitting costs could reach $900 million considering its service life.
Experts also cautioned that overhauling the aging warship could redirect critical resources away from higher-priority naval assets like frigates and submarines.
Second in Southeast Asia
Indonesia is the second nation in Southeast Asia to acquire an aircraft carrier, following Thailand in the late 1990s.
Rather than sailing for long-range fighter strike missions, Jakarta plans to employ the 180-meter (591-foot) platform as a sea-based mobile command hub for disaster relief, peatland firefighting, and maritime surveillance.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the military will apply further revamps to the Sriwijaya to carry up to 14 helicopters and operate unmanned aerial systems.
The government is now preparing a total of 310 personnel to man the carrier.
