TNI Navy hopes Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier arrives sooner

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali has expressed hope that the arrival of the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier could be accelerated, ideally before this year’s TNI anniversary.

“Hopefully it can arrive earlier, and preferably before the TNI anniversary,” Ali said during a press conference at the Kolinlamil dock in North Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to Ali, efforts are underway to ensure that Indonesia’s first Navy aircraft carrier can strengthen the nation’s maritime defence as quickly as possible.

Ali continued that negotiations between the Defence Ministry, the Italian government, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri are currently ongoing.

Simultaneously, 100 Navy personnel designated as the aircraft carrier’s crew are being prepared to undergo training in Italy. The training is conducted to ensure that the crew members are capable of operating the Garibaldi.

“Training will continue to be conducted, and the Defence Ministry will determine the best course of action,” Ali explained.

Ali expressed hope that the negotiations conducted by the Defence Ministry will proceed smoothly and in accordance with applicable procedures.

For reference, this aircraft carrier shares similarities with two new ships of the TNI Navy—KRI Brawijaya 320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi 321—as both were built by Italian company Fincantieri.

The aircraft carrier, measuring 180.2 metres in length, is equipped with powerful engines capable of propelling the vessel at speeds of 30 knots or 56 kilometres per hour.

The fighter aircraft carrier is also equipped with several jamming radar systems and weapons including an octuple launcher Mk.29 for sea sparrow/Selenia Aspide anti-aircraft missiles, twin Oto Melara 40L70 DARDO guns, triple 324 mm torpedo tubes, and Otomat Mk 2 SSM systems.