Indonesia is on the verge of reaching a historic milestone in its naval development. For the first time, the country is preparing to operate an aircraft carrier as the former Italian Navy flagship Giuseppe Garibaldi moves closer to joining the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
Before the vessel is transferred, Indonesian Navy personnel are undergoing intensive training in Italy to prepare for operating one of the country’s most advanced naval assets. The training is part of the official handover process and is designed to ensure a smooth transition once the ship enters Indonesian service.
Rear Admiral Tunggul Waluyo, Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service, explained that after the training program is completed, Giuseppe Garibaldi will sail to Indonesia under a Joint Crew arrangement. During the voyage, the ship will be operated jointly by personnel from the Indonesian Navy and the Italian Navy.
“The Joint Crew consists of a combination of Indonesian Navy personnel and Italian Navy personnel. Once the ship arrives in Indonesia, the handover process will be carried out gradually until the vessel is fully operated, with 100% of the crew consisting of Indonesian Navy personnel,” Tunggul said in an official statement on Wednesday (July 15, 2026).
When the transition process is complete, Giuseppe Garibaldi will officially become the first aircraft carrier ever operated by the Indonesian Navy. Its arrival will also place Indonesia among the select group of Asian countries that possess aircraft carriers.
Originally built in Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi has served as one of the Italian Navy’s most important warships. Constructed at the Monfalcone shipyard, the vessel is officially classified by Marina Militare as a Garibaldi-class aircraft carrier with hull number 551.
The ship was named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, the renowned Italian national hero who played a key role in the country’s unification. During its decades of service with the Italian Navy, it was officially known as ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, or Nave Garibaldi.
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Unlike the massive aircraft carriers operated by countries such as the United States and China, Giuseppe Garibaldi belongs to the light aircraft carrier class. It was designed to deploy helicopters, Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, conduct amphibious command operations, and support both naval and aerial missions.
Despite its smaller size, the carrier is capable of operating aircraft such as the AV-8B Plus Harrier II. Although its flight deck is shorter than those found on larger carriers, it remains a capable platform for maritime air operations.
According to the official Marina Militare website, construction of Giuseppe Garibaldi began on February 20, 1978. The vessel was launched on June 4, 1983, before entering active service in 1985.
Throughout its service with Italy, the carrier operated EH101, SH90A, and AB212 helicopters. It was also equipped to deploy the AV-8B Plus Harrier II tactical fighter aircraft, giving the vessel the capability to conduct air combat missions directly from the sea.
The ship is equipped with Albatros launchers capable of firing Aspide surface-to-air missiles. For close-range defense, it also carries three DARDO weapon systems fitted with Breda 40/70 cannons. Marina Militare states that the carrier is further protected by both active and passive defense systems designed to counter a variety of maritime threats.
Although Giuseppe Garibaldi is being transferred to Indonesia as a grant from Italy, the acquisition will still involve significant financial commitments. Operating an aircraft carrier requires continuous spending on maintenance, modernization, daily operations, and modifications to meet the Indonesian Navy’s operational requirements.
According to a report by the Italian Parliament cited by Reuters, annual maintenance costs for the vessel are estimated at around €5 million, equivalent to approximately Rp103.5 billion based on an exchange rate of Rp20,710 per euro.
Italy has also estimated that dismantling outdated equipment and refurbishing the ship could cost nearly €19 million, or about Rp393.49 billion.
Once Giuseppe Garibaldi officially joins the Indonesian Navy, Indonesia will become the fifth country in Asia to operate an aircraft carrier. China, India, Japan, and Thailand already possess aircraft carriers, making Indonesia the newest member of this exclusive group.
