Indonesian Navy confirms Lampung carrier base ready to welcome Garibaldi
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has confirmed that the aircraft carrier base in Lampung is ready to welcome the arrival of the vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi, to be renamed KRI Gajah Mada, which is due to arrive in the near future. Head of the Navy Information Service (Kadispenal) Admiral Tunggul told ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday that the completion process for the base in Lampung is still ongoing. “Regarding the readiness of the base infrastructure in Lampung, finishing work is currently in progress and is expected to be completed by the time Garibaldi arrives in Indonesia,” he said. ANTARA asked for further details on the facilities and construction progress, but Tunggul did not elaborate. He only confirmed that the base would be fully completed and operational by the end of September 2026.
Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali previously announced that the aircraft carrier KRI Gajah Mada is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia in mid-September 2026. Ali requested prayers from the Indonesian public for the safe passage of the vessel, which departed from Italy on Monday evening at 22:00 local time. “We ask for your prayers. Tonight, at around 10 p.m., KRI Gajah Mada will leave Italy for Indonesia,” Ali said during a visit to the Majapahit Palace in Jakarta on Monday. He explained that Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier is still named ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi and still flies the Italian flag. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the ship, acquired through an intergovernmental grant scheme, will change its flag and name to KRI Gajah Mada. “Its name is still ITS Garibaldi and it still flies the Italian flag, but upon arrival in Indonesia it will change to the Red and White flag and become KRI Gajah Mada. Please pray for a safe and successful journey,” the KSAL said.
According to Ali, KRI Gajah Mada will travel for more than 20 days, passing through various waters, the Suez Canal, and the Red Sea, escorted by Italian warships. “Because it will pass through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, it will also be escorted by Italian frigates, and hopefully by 15 or 20 September it will have arrived in Indonesia,” he said. Upon arrival, Ali explained, a formal ceremony to change the flag to the Indonesian flag will be held on 25 September 2026. The ceremony is planned to be attended by President Prabowo Subianto. “On the 25th, there will be a ceremony to change the flag to the Indonesian flag and the name from Garibaldi to KRI Gajah Mada. The President is planned to attend and officially inaugurate it on board the aircraft carrier Gajah Mada,” he said.