Indonesia to Acquire Aircraft Carrier, Ministry of Defence: No Intention of Invasion
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) has affirmed that the plan to acquire the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier is not intended for offensive purposes or the invasion of any territory.
“That is for the future. There is no intention from our nation, Indonesia, that by possessing an aircraft carrier like this, it will be aggressive; that is not the case. So, there is no invasive nature,” said the Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2/2026).
He explained that the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier is planned to support Non-War Military Operations (OMSP), especially in disaster management.
The facility is considered to accelerate the distribution of logistics and the mobilisation of personnel during disasters without having to travel back and forth to distant bases or airfields.
Rico added that the presence of the aircraft carrier would also allow smaller ships in the vicinity to refuel and distribute logistical aid more effectively and efficiently.
“For the Garibaldi, it is still in progress. Hopefully, it can arrive in Indonesia before the TNI’s anniversary,” said Ali in Jakarta, broadcast by Antara, Thursday (12/2/2026).
He explained that the Ministry of Defence is still in negotiations with the Italian shipyard, Fincantieri, which manufactures the aircraft carrier.
The Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier is a grant or free gift from the Italian Government, but the Ministry of Defence still allocates a budget for the retrofitting process.
The adjustments include the ship’s systems, safety standards, and the operational needs of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
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