Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Indonesia Receives First Aircraft Carrier, Former Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi
Indonesia now has its first aircraft carrier.
The ship used to belong to Italy and was called Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Indonesia has renamed it KRI Sriwijaya.
It arrived in Jakarta after sailing from Italy through the Suez Canal and Sri Lanka.
The ship can carry helicopters and some special aircraft.
Indonesia says it will mainly use the carrier to help people during disasters and to support missions across its many islands.
It can also help with maritime security, supplies and communication.
However, Indonesia still needs to spend money to repair, modernize and operate the aging ship.
Indonesia received the former Italian Navy carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi at Tanjung Priok port on September 18.
The vessel has been renamed KRI Sriwijaya and is Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier.
Indonesia says the ship will support disaster relief, maritime security, logistics and command operations.
The 41-year-old carrier can reach about 30 knots and carry roughly 16 to 20 aircraft.
Although Italy transferred the ship as a grant, Indonesia must fund its refit, training and long-term operation.
- Who
- The Indonesian Navy received the former Italian Navy vessel ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, now identified as KRI Sriwijaya.
- What
- Indonesia acquired its first aircraft carrier for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security and other military operations.
- When
- The carrier arrived on Friday, September 18, after being transferred following its retirement in October 2024.
- Where
- It arrived at Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Why
- Indonesia intends to use the ship as a mobile aviation, command and logistics platform across its dispersed archipelago, particularly during disasters.
Humanitarian and Strategic Utility
Modernization and Cost Concerns
Main purpose of the carrier
Humanitarian and Strategic Utility
Indonesia says the ship will provide a large mobile platform for helicopters, drones, relief equipment and operations across its island-based territory.
Modernization and Cost Concerns
Critics cited in the article have raised concerns about the costs of modernizing and operating an aging 41-year-old carrier.
Financial burden
Humanitarian and Strategic Utility
The vessel was transferred by Italy as a grant, allowing Indonesia to acquire the ship without purchasing it outright.
Modernization and Cost Concerns
Indonesia will still have to pay for refurbishment, systems integration, training, aviation assets and long-term operations.
- Ship name in Indonesian service
- KRI Sriwijaya
- Former operator
- Italian Navy
- Year entered service
- 1985
- Length and displacement
- Approximately 180.2 metres; about 13,850 tonnes at full load, rising to around 14,000 tonnes after modernization
- Maximum speed
- Around 30 knots, or roughly 56 kmph
- Aircraft capacity
- Approximately 16 to 20 aircraft, depending on configuration
- Primary intended missions
- Humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, command-and-control and logistics