KRI Gajah Mada's voyage from Italy to Indonesia, ready for debut at 81st TNI anniversary

The aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, which will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada, is scheduled to make its debut at the 81st TNI anniversary in October 2026 as part of the sailing pass parade. The ship will also serve as a vessel for very very important persons (VVIPs).

“According to the initial plan, the Garibaldi will be involved as one of the sailing pass elements for the 81st TNI anniversary,” said Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service, First Admiral Tunggul, when confirmed by ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Tunggul said the aircraft carrier will appear alongside a number of Indonesian Navy fleets in the parade of primary weapon systems (alutsista). The Giuseppe Garibaldi is also planned to be a VVIP ship for important guests, including the President, ministers, and TNI officials during the naval alutsista parade.

However, Tunggul has not yet explained in detail the concept of the naval alutsista parade or the location of the sailing pass at the 81st TNI anniversary commemoration.

The Giuseppe Garibaldi is currently sailing from Italy to Indonesia and is scheduled to arrive in mid-September 2026. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali previously said the ship is expected to arrive in Indonesia on 15-20 September.

“We ask for your prayers, tonight at around 10 pm, KRI Gajah Mada will leave Italy for Indonesia,” Ali said while visiting the Majapahit Palace in Jakarta on Monday, 24 August 2026.

During the voyage to Indonesia, the ship is still named ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi and flies the Italian flag. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the ship, which was obtained through an intergovernmental grant scheme, will change its flag to the Red and White and be named KRI Gajah Mada.

“Its name is still ITS Garibaldi, still flying the Italian flag. But upon arrival in Indonesia, it will change to the Red and White flag and become KRI Gajah Mada. We ask for your prayers, may the journey be safe and successful,” Ali said.

According to Ali, the ship will travel for more than 20 days, passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, and will be 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 on 15 or 20 September it will have arrived in Indonesia,” he said.