Defence Ministry Has Not Yet Determined Budget for Giuseppe Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier Retrofit

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Defence has not yet determined the budget to be used for the retrofit costs of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the aircraft carrier donated by Italy that will become Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier.

‘Regarding the required retrofit costs, the exact amount has not yet been determined,’ said Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, Director of Information at the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defence, when contacted by Kompas.com, on Wednesday (4/3/2026).

Rico stated that there is no determination of retrofit costs yet because it requires more detailed technical inspections of Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Rico said that the retrofit of the Giuseppe Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier in line with the Indonesian Navy’s posture would use the national budget allocated through the Ministry of Defence.

Previously, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali said that the first Indonesian aircraft carrier made in Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi, is targeted to arrive in Indonesia before the Indonesian Armed Forces’ Anniversary on 5 October 2026.

‘For Garibaldi, it’s still in process. Hopefully it can arrive in Indonesia before the HUT TNI,’ Ali said in Jakarta, broadcast by ANTARA, Thursday (12/2/2026).

He explained that up to now the Ministry of Defence is still negotiating with the Italian shipyard, Fincantieri, which produces the aircraft carrier.

This negotiation process also involves the Italian Navy, which previously used the vessel.

Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait said that Giuseppe Garibaldi is a donated aircraft carrier from the Government of Italy.

Rico explained that the retrofit will be carried out after the donation administration is completed in accordance with the regulations.

The retrofit includes the ship’s systems, safety standards, and operational readiness of the Indonesian Navy.

‘The Indonesian government still needs to prepare a budget for retrofit needs, system adjustments, safety certification, and operational readiness so that the ship can be used according to the needs of the Indonesian Navy,’ Rico said.