Defence Minister: Aircraft Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi to be Modified by PT PAL
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has confirmed that the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier, received as a gift from Italy, will be modified in Indonesia. According to him, the country possesses a shipbuilding company capable of retrofitting and modernising the aircraft carrier.
“We have the industry; PT Penataran Angkatan Laut (PAL) is capable of carrying out the work,” he said at the Defence Ministry office in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
After the aircraft carrier is modified by Indonesia, Sjafrie stated that it will no longer be called the Giuseppe Garibaldi. However, he did not elaborate on the name that will be assigned later.
The former Italian Navy aircraft carrier is targeted to arrive in Indonesian waters in 2026. Although received under a gift scheme, the government continues to allocate a budget for maintenance and capability enhancement.
The budget requirement for maintenance and modernisation, including the installation of combat systems for the 43-year-old vessel to meet Indonesian Navy operational requirements, is estimated at 7.2 trillion rupiah. Sjafrie stated that this policy remains efficient and effective.
“So if it is said to be efficient and effective, I am prepared to guarantee it,” said Sjafrie.
The desire to acquire the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier has been evident since President Prabowo Subianto served as Defence Minister. At that time, Prabowo visited Italy towards the end of 2022 to discuss the modernisation of Indonesia’s defence equipment. This agenda continued when the Head of the Indonesian Navy General Staff, General Muhammad Ali, conducted a direct inspection of the aircraft carrier.
The vessel can in principle support Military Operations for War (OMP) as well as Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), particularly humanitarian missions, disaster relief, and other non-combat operations requiring force projection and logistical support in national waters and surrounding regions.
Member of Commission I of the People’s Consultative Assembly (DPR) Tubagus Hasanuddin said that discussion regarding the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier had never been conducted specifically, whether it would be purchased new or under a gift scheme. “It has never been discussed specifically with Commission I,” he said on Monday, 23 February 2026.
According to Hasanuddin, regarding defence equipment acquisitions under a gift scheme, there are at least three requirements: the arrangement must not be binding, must be aligned with domestic defence doctrine, and must not place an excessive burden on the budget, particularly concerning maintenance.