Captain Rizky Pratama still remembers the first time he saw an aircraft carrier up close during a naval exchange program in Europe. Standing on the deck of that massive warship, watching jets launch into the sky, he felt something shift inside him. “I thought to myself – why can’t Indonesia have this kind of power?” he recalls. “We have the longest coastline in the world, yet we’re watching from the sidelines.”
That dream might be closer to reality than ever before. The Giuseppe Garibaldi Indonesia deal is quietly reshaping how Southeast Asia’s largest nation thinks about naval power, and it’s happening faster than most people realize.
Indonesia is racing against time to bring Italy’s former aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi into its fleet by October 2026, marking what could be the most significant naval acquisition in the country’s modern history. This isn’t just about adding another ship – it’s about fundamentally changing Indonesia’s role in regional maritime security.
Why This Italian Warship Matters So Much
The Giuseppe Garibaldi represents more than just military hardware. For Indonesia, this 33-year-old carrier symbolizes a leap into the big leagues of naval power. The ship served Italy’s navy with distinction from 1985 until its retirement in 2024, proving its worth in multiple NATO operations.
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Admiral Muhammad Ali, Indonesia’s Chief of Naval Staff, confirmed that negotiations are moving at breakneck speed. “We’re targeting arrival before October 5, 2026 – our armed forces anniversary,” he stated during a recent defense briefing. “This ship will transform how we think about maritime operations.”
The timing isn’t accidental. Indonesia wants to showcase its growing naval capabilities on one of its most important military holidays. Having the Giuseppe Garibaldi sail into Indonesian waters just before the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces would send a clear message to both allies and potential rivals.
But the real story lies in what this acquisition means for Indonesia’s broader naval strategy. The country is pursuing what it calls the “Minimum Essential Force” program – essentially building the bare minimum military capability needed to defend its vast archipelago effectively.
The Numbers Tell the Real Story
When you look at the specifics of this potential deal, the scale becomes clear. Here’s what Indonesia would be getting:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 180 meters |
| Displacement | 14,150 tons |
| Aircraft Capacity | 16 helicopters or 12 fixed-wing aircraft |
| Service Record | 39 years (1985-2024) |
| Previous Operations | NATO missions, Mediterranean patrols |
The financial structure of the Giuseppe Garibaldi Indonesia deal remains murky, but defense sources suggest it could involve:
- Partial Italian government grant
- Indonesian financing for refurbishment
- Technology transfer agreements
- Training packages for Indonesian personnel
- Long-term maintenance contracts
Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait from Indonesia’s defense ministry hinted that Italy might structure this as a government-to-government grant, with Indonesia covering modernization costs. “This isn’t just a sale – it’s a strategic partnership,” he explained.
The ship would need significant updates to meet Indonesian requirements, particularly for operating in tropical conditions and supporting different aircraft types than it used with the Italian Navy.
What Changes When Indonesia Gets Its Carrier
The arrival of the Giuseppe Garibaldi would dramatically reshape Indonesia’s military posture. Currently, Indonesia operates mainly frigates and submarines – capable ships, but nothing approaching carrier-based aviation power.
For ordinary Indonesians, this might seem like an abstract military matter. But the implications reach far beyond defense circles. Indonesia’s economy depends heavily on maritime trade routes, and a stronger navy means better protection for commercial shipping.
“When you can project air power from the sea, you change the entire strategic equation,” notes Dr. Sarah Chen, a naval analyst at the Jakarta Defense Institute. “Indonesia would go from being a coastal defense force to having genuine blue-water capabilities.”
The carrier would likely operate in several key areas:
- Anti-piracy operations in the Strait of Malacca
- Disaster relief missions across the archipelago
- Joint exercises with regional allies
- Maritime patrol missions in disputed waters
Regional neighbors are watching closely. While some countries might view this as escalatory, others see it as Indonesia finally taking responsibility for securing one of the world’s most important maritime regions.
The Giuseppe Garibaldi Indonesia acquisition also signals a shift in how Southeast Asian nations approach defense procurement. Rather than always buying new, countries are increasingly looking at well-maintained second-hand platforms that offer proven capabilities at lower costs.
The Human Side of Naval Transformation
Behind all the technical specifications and strategic analysis, there’s a human story unfolding. Indonesian naval officers are already preparing for what could be their country’s most complex military operation – integrating carrier aviation into a navy that has never operated such capabilities.
Commander Lisa Andriani, one of Indonesia’s few female naval aviators, recently returned from training exercises in Europe. “Learning to operate from a carrier deck is unlike anything we’ve done before,” she admits. “But our pilots are ready for the challenge.”
The timeline is aggressive. Getting the Giuseppe Garibaldi operational in Indonesian service by October 2026 means compressed training schedules, accelerated refurbishment work, and careful coordination between Italian and Indonesian technical teams.
For the shipbuilders at Fincantieri, this represents both a business opportunity and a chance to showcase their expertise in carrier modernization. The company has been looking for ways to extend the life of proven platforms rather than always building from scratch.
“This is about giving a great ship a second life,” explains Marco Rosetti, a Fincantieri project manager familiar with the negotiations. “The Garibaldi has years of service left, and Indonesia offers the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that.”
FAQs
When will the Giuseppe Garibaldi join the Indonesian Navy?
The target date is before October 5, 2026, to coincide with Indonesia’s armed forces anniversary.
How much will Indonesia pay for the aircraft carrier?
The exact cost hasn’t been disclosed, but it may involve a combination of Italian grants and Indonesian financing for refurbishment.
What aircraft will the carrier operate?
Indonesia is likely to use helicopters initially, with potential for fixed-wing aircraft as capabilities develop.
Why is this carrier acquisition important for Indonesia?
It would give Indonesia its first aircraft carrier and significantly enhance its ability to project naval power across its vast archipelago.
Has the deal been finalized?
No final contract has been signed yet, but negotiations between Indonesia, Italy, and Fincantieri are ongoing.
What condition is the Giuseppe Garibaldi in?
The ship was retired from Italian service in 2024 after 39 years of operation, but it remains in serviceable condition and would undergo refurbishment for Indonesian use.