Facts about the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier
On the occasion of its 81st anniversary on 5 October, the Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut) will receive an additional asset: the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier. The vessel was built on 20 February 1978 at the Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
‘After it is officially accepted and operational, the ship is planned to function as a flagship for conducting operations,’ said the Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, to Tempo on Tuesday 3 March 2026.
Acquired as a grant, but maintenance budget remains
The acquisition of the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy to Indonesia was effected through a government-to-government grant between Jakarta and Rome. Although it is a grant, the government is still budgeting for maintenance and capability upgrades.
The budget for maintenance and modernization, including the installation of the ship’s combat system to meet the operational needs of the Indonesian Navy, is estimated at Rp 7.2 trillion.
Long considered by Prabowo Subianto
The desire to acquire the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier has been evident since President Prabowo Subianto served as Defence Minister, 2019–2024. At the time, Prabowo visited Italy to discuss Indonesia’s defence equipment modernization toward the end of 2022. The agenda continued when the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, General Muhammad Ali, personally inspected the carrier.
To involve the national defence industry
Brigadier General Rico Sirait said that in the retrofit and modernization process of the Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Ministry of Defence will involve national companies and shipyards. ‘As part of strengthening the capacity of the national defence industry,’ he told Tempo on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. However, he did not elaborate on the specific Indonesian companies or shipyards that would be involved in the retrofit and modernization of this 180.2-metre vessel.
Rico added that the selection of which company or shipyard will be entrusted with the work will be determined through a competitive procurement process, ‘in accordance with applicable procurement mechanisms,’ he said.
Open to involving other parties or countries
Although the retrofit and modernization will be conducted in Indonesia, Rico said there remains the possibility of involving other parties or countries. Involvement could occur if certain shipboard equipment or components are not available in Indonesia, he explained. ‘It is possible if technical support from the original manufacturer is required,’ he said.
Specifications
The Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier has a displacement of 13,850 tonnes and a top speed of 30 knots. This former Italian Navy vessel first entered service on 4 June 1983. It measures 180.2 metres in length and has a power output of 60,400 kW; hull number 551; and has logged a distance of 7,000 nautical miles.