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The Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier arrived in Indonesia and was welcomed by a jet ski team as it entered Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on Friday (September 18, 2026).The Italian aircraft carrier traveled from Italy to Indonesia for three weeks. Photo source: Kompas.com reporter on location. |
Why Did Italy Give the Garibaldi to Indonesia?
One question that many people may ask is why Italy transferred the Garibaldi aircraft carrier to Indonesia. The ITS Giueseppe Garibaldi is an old aircraft carrier that served the Italian Navy for many years. Italy now has newer ships and newer technology, so the Garibaldi has reached the later part of its service life. For Italy, transferring an older ship can also reduce the cost and work needed to keep the ship in service. For Indonesia, however, this is something new and interesting.
The Garibaldi can give the Indonesian Navy a chance to learn more about operating a large aircraft carrier. Indonesian Navy personnel can learn about ship operations, training, maintenance, logistics, and naval aviation.
I think this is also an opportunity for Indonesia to get more experience with a large naval ship. Of course, operating an aircraft carrier is not a simple matter. Indonesia will need trained personnel, proper facilities, maintenance, and other support. The transfer can also bring Indonesia and Italy closer in naval cooperation. So, for Indonesia, the Garibaldi is not only about receiving a large ship. It also brings a new experience and a new responsibility.
The First Time Docking at Tanjung Priok
Another interesting part is the arrival of the Garibaldi at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta. Tanjung Priok is one of the important ports in Indonesia. So, the arrival of a large aircraft carrier there is certainly something interesting to see.
The arrival at Tanjung Priok is also useful for Indonesian Navy personnel. They can become more familiar with the ship, check its facilities, and prepare everything needed to operate and maintain it. For ordinary Indonesians, the arrival is simply an interesting moment in Indonesian naval history. It is not every day that we can see an aircraft carrier arriving at an Indonesian port.
The New Official Name: KRI Sriwijaya-100
The former Italian Garibaldi will also receive a new Indonesian identity. The ship will officially become KRI Sriwijaya. Giving an Indonesian name to the ship is an important step because it shows that the vessel is now part of Indonesia's naval force.
'As far as I am concerned, Indonesia does not have any VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) fighter jets, such as the Sea Harrier, or any VTOL fifth-generation fighter So, maybe KRI Sriwijaya is only designed to accommodate helicopters.The runway used for fighter jets taking off from an aircraft carrier will not be used.There is another country in Southeast Asia with an aircraft carrier: Thailand , HTMS Chakri Naruebet: Thailand operates an aircraft carrier/light carrier, while Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam: They do not operate conventional aircraft carriers.'
Expensive Maintenance and Uses Beyond Combat
Having an aircraft carrier is certainly impressive. But Indonesia also needs to think about the cost of operating and maintaining such a large ship.An aircraft carrier needs fuel, spare parts, regular maintenance, trained personnel, technical support, and suitable port facilities.
The program financing was approved at around US$450 million. The exchange rate mentioned was 1 US dollar = IDR 17,919.00 as of September 24 at 06:31 UTC.
But I think the aircraft carrier may have uses beyond combat. Indonesia is a large archipelagic country with thousands of islands. Indonesia also often faces natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
A New Chapter for Indonesia
The arrival of the former Garibaldi and its new identity as KRI Sriwijaya is certainly interesting for Indonesia.It brings a new type of naval capability, but it also brings new responsibilities. Indonesia will need to prepare its personnel, facilities, budget, and maintenance system to operate such a large ship.
For me, the most interesting question is not only how big the aircraft carrier is or how impressive it looks when it arrives at Tanjung Priok.I am more interested in how Indonesia will use it in the future. Can KRI Sriwijaya also be useful for disaster relief and humanitarian missions?
We will have to wait and see.
For now, the arrival of KRI Sriwijaya is a new chapter in Indonesia's maritime history. I hope this large ship can be useful for Indonesia and, when needed, also help Indonesian people during disasters and other emergencies.





























