Indonesia appears to be moving closer to acquiring its first aircraft carrier, the retired Italian Navy vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi, as part of a broader effort to enhance its maritime capabilities and expand its naval reach. While no formal contract has yet been signed, the process has entered a substantive negotiation phase involving the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, the Italian Navy, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.
From Italian Service to Indonesian Flag
The Giuseppe Garibaldi (C551) was built by Fincantieri and operated by the Marina Militare since its commissioning in 1985. After nearly four decades of service, the carrier was retired and decommissioned as newer platforms such as Trieste entered service.
Now, Jakarta’s defence establishment is seeking to bring the ship into service under the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI AL). Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, head of the Defence Ministry’s public relations bureau, has stated that Indonesia plans to receive Giuseppe Garibaldi as a grant from the Italian government — though ongoing negotiations mean the process is not yet complete.
Negotiations, Timelines and Retrofits
Both Indonesian and Italian parties continue administrative and technical discussions, with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence expected to allocate funding not only for the transfer but also for retrofit and modernization work to meet Indonesian operational needs. Once transferred, the carrier will likely undergo adjustments to fit the TNI AL’s mission profiles.
Indonesia’s Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali, has stated that the Garibaldi is anticipated to arrive in Indonesian waters before the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian Armed Forces on October 5, 2026, indicating Jakarta’s desire to showcase the milestone at a symbolic national event.
A Multi-Role Platform for Indonesia
Although originally designed as an aircraft carrier capable of supporting fixed-wing aircraft, Indonesia appears open to employing the Garibaldi for a range of roles. A spokesperson for the Indonesian Navy noted that the carrier could be used primarily for Operations Other Than War (OMSP), such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, evacuations, and large-scale logistical support — missions that leverage the vessel’s size, endurance, and onboard facilities.
At the same time, the Navy does not rule out the possibility of utilising the platform for more traditional power projection roles if strategic needs evolve.
Following the recent training and defence cooperation momentum between Italy and Indonesia, Jakarta’s decision to move forward with the M-346 advanced jet trainer deal with Leonardo has added a new layer of strategic trust between the two nations. The agreement not only strengthens Indonesia’s pilot training pipeline and transition to modern combat aircraft, but also signals a broader deepening of defence ties that could logically extend into naval cooperation discussions — including the reported talks surrounding the future of the former Italian carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. In this context, the M-346 deal may be less an isolated procurement and more a stepping stone toward a wider, long-term military partnership.
Strategic and Regional Implications
If finalized, the acquisition of the Giuseppe Garibaldi would mark a historic development for the Indonesian Navy, placing Jakarta among a small group of Southeast Asian states with carrier capabilities and significantly enhancing its maritime reach and operational flexibility in the Indo-Pacific region.
Despite questions about cost, maintenance and long-term sustainability raised by analysts, Indonesia’s pursuit of a carrier — even a legacy one — reflects broader ambitions to strengthen its blue-water naval profile and respond to both traditional and non-traditional security demands in its vast archipelagic domain.
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