Indonesia has entered a new and interesting chapter in its naval history with the arrival of the Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. The ship is now becoming part of Indonesia's naval force and will have a new identity under the Indonesian flag. For many Indonesians, the arrival of an aircraft carrier is something new because Indonesia has never operated a ship of this type before.
The arrival has also attracted public attention because the ship is very large and has a long history with the Italian Navy. In this article, I would like to share some simple thoughts about the Garibaldi, from why Italy transferred the ship to Indonesia, its first docking in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Indonesia, its new official name, and the possible cost and future use of the ship
Enjoy ya.
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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.
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Why Did Italy Give the Garibaldi to Indonesia?
One of the first questions is why Italy gave or transferred the Garibaldi aircraft carrier to Indonesia. The Garibaldi is an old Italian Navy aircraft carrier that has served Italy for many years. Italy has developed and used newer naval technology, while the Garibaldi has reached the later stage of its service life.
For Italy, transferring the ship can be part of its effort to reduce the burden of keeping an older vessel in service. For Indonesia, however, the situation is different. The ship gives Indonesia an opportunity to learn how to operate an aircraft carrier and manage a large naval platform. Indonesia can gain experience in areas such as naval aviation, ship operations, logistics, training, and maintenance.
The transfer can also strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and Italy. For Indonesia, receiving the Garibaldi is not simply about receiving a large ship. It also means accepting a new responsibility. Indonesian Navy personnel will need to understand the ship, prepare the necessary facilities, and make sure that the vessel can be operated safely and effectively.
The First Time Docking at Tanjung Priok
Another interesting moment is the first arrival of the Garibaldi at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta. Tanjung Priok is one of Indonesia's most important ports, so the arrival of such a large warship naturally attracts attention. For many people, seeing an aircraft carrier in an Indonesian port is a special experience.
The ship has a very different appearance from the smaller warships that Indonesians normally see. Its arrival also marks the beginning of a new period for the vessel. After many years serving Italy, the ship is now beginning a new journey with Indonesia. The first docking is also important for Indonesian Navy personnel because they can become more familiar with the ship and its systems.
They can inspect the facilities, prepare the necessary support, and learn how to handle such a large vessel. For ordinary Indonesians, meanwhile, the arrival of the ship can simply be an interesting historical moment. It is not every day that an aircraft carrier arrives at an Indonesian port.
Two different angles of the Giuseppe Garibaldi, which has now become
KRI Sriwijaya, arriving in Indonesia.
The New Official Name: KRI Sriwijaya
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.
The name Sriwijaya is also interesting because Sriwijaya was a famous maritime kingdom in the history of Southeast Asia. The official inauguration of the name will therefore be an important ceremony for Indonesia. The ship will no longer be known simply as the Italian Garibaldi. It will now sail under the Indonesian flag and carry the name KRI Sriwijaya.
'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.'
For me, this is one of the most interesting parts of the whole story. A ship that spent many years serving another country is starting a completely different chapter in Indonesia. It will be interesting to see how KRI Sriwijaya is used and what role it will play in the future of the Indonesian Navy.
Expensive Maintenance and Uses Beyond Combat
Having an aircraft carrier is certainly impressive, but there is another side that Indonesia must think about carefully: the cost of operation and maintenance. A large aircraft carrier is not a simple ship. It needs fuel, spare parts, regular maintenance, trained personnel, technical support, and suitable port facilities.
These things can require a large amount of money. The age of the ship can also become an important issue because older equipment may need more maintenance and replacement parts. Therefore, Indonesia needs to think about the long-term cost of operating KRI Sriwijaya. At the same time, Indonesia may not need to use the aircraft carrier only for combat purposes. The program financing was approved at roughly US$450 million, with 1 United States dollar equal to IDR 17,919.00 as of September 24 at 06:31 UTC.
The ship could have other possible roles, especially in a country as large as Indonesia. Indonesia is an archipelagic country with thousands of islands and is also vulnerable to natural disasters. Earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and other disasters can sometimes make transportation and humanitarian assistance difficult.
A large ship could potentially support disaster relief, evacuation, medical assistance, transportation of supplies, and other humanitarian operations. This could give KRI Sriwijaya a role beyond traditional military operations. Instead of being used only during a conflict, the ship could also become a platform that helps Indonesian people during emergencies and natural disasters.
A New Chapter for Indonesia
The arrival of the former Garibaldi and its transformation into KRI Sriwijaya is certainly an interesting development for Indonesia. It brings a new type of naval capability, but it also brings new responsibilities. Indonesia will have to prepare its personnel, facilities, budget, and maintenance system to operate such a large ship.
For me, the most interesting question is not simply how big the aircraft carrier is or how impressive it looks when it docks at Tanjung Priok. The bigger question is how Indonesia will use it in the future. Can KRI Sriwijaya become useful not only for national defence but also for disaster relief and humanitarian missions?
Only time will tell how Indonesia will use this new aircraft carrier. For now, the arrival of KRI Sriwijaya marks a new chapter in Indonesia's maritime history/.
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