Indonesian Navy Eyes Arrival of Former Italian Aircraft Carrier Ahead of TNI Anniversary

JAKARTA – The Indonesian Navy is seeking the delivery of a former Italian aircraft carrier before October 5, in time for the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), according to statements reported by Antara News.

Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali said the navy expects the vessel to arrive before the annual TNI anniversary celebrations. However, he stopped short of confirming whether Indonesia has formally purchased the ship or signed a binding contract. He noted that the Ministry of Defence remains in negotiations with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and the Italian Navy.

The October 5 deadline carries symbolic weight. The TNI anniversary is traditionally marked by large-scale military parades and naval sail-pasts, events often used to unveil newly acquired defence platforms. Should the former carrier arrive in time, it would likely be showcased as a landmark addition, potentially representing Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier capability.

The proposed timeline, however, raises operational considerations. Indonesia has no prior experience operating an aircraft carrier. A rapid transfer could therefore require significant involvement from Italian personnel, at least during the initial phase. Defence observers suggest it is plausible that the vessel, if delivered before October, could arrive with an Italian crew onboard to assist with essential operations and training.

A compressed delivery schedule may also indicate that extensive refit or modification work would not be completed in Italy prior to handover. Instead, upgrades could take place domestically after the ship’s arrival.

During the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition, Indonesian private firm Republikorp publicly expressed interest in carrying out potential modification work on the carrier should the transfer proceed. To date, neither the navy nor the Ministry of Defence has disclosed details regarding the scope of any planned upgrades.

Speculation surrounding Indonesia’s interest in the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi has intensified over the past two years. The discussions gained greater visibility following Admiral Ali’s visit to the vessel in Italy in May 2024, where he was accompanied by then–Deputy Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto.

While negotiations appear ongoing, officials have yet to confirm whether a final agreement has been reached. For now, the prospect of the carrier’s arrival before Indonesia’s most prominent military celebration remains both a strategic ambition and a symbolic milestone. | Team