en.malanginspirasi.com – The former Italian light aircraft carrier, ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, officially departed from Italy on Monday night (24/8/2026) bound for Indonesia.
The vessel is expected to arrive in Indonesian waters between mid-to-late September 2026, ahead of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) anniversary on October 5.
Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali confirmed that during its journey, the carrier retains the Italian flag and its original name under the escort of Italian frigates.
Its transit route includes navigating critical maritime choke points, including the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
“Upon its arrival in Indonesia, the vessel will officially commission under the Indonesian flag and be renamed KRI Gajah Mada,” Admiral Ali stated.
Baca Juga:
Acquired via a military grant from the Italian Senate, the transfer marks Indonesia’s first-ever aircraft carrier induction.
While the hull was donated, Jakarta covers the retrofitting and integration costs required to meet the Navy’s operational standards.
At this moment, Ratai Bay in Lampung is being upgraded to serve as its primary base, securing the critical Sunda Strait maritime lane.
The flight deck will accommodate not only Navy helicopters but also rotary-wing aircraft from the Indonesian Army and Air Force.
Around 100 Indonesian Navy personnel are operating the vessel alongside an Italian crew for the journey as part of a hands-on knowledge transfer.
The vessel expands Indonesia’s Blue Water Navy power projection while providing a floating command hub for amphibious operations, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian disaster relief missions across the archipelago.
