Indonesia Also Acquires an Aircraft Carrier, Securing 180-Meter Garibaldi from Italy

[Jakarta, Indonesia—Aulia Maulida Hamdani, correspondent] The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has acquired an aircraft carrier for the first time since its establishment. The aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, formerly operated by the Italian Navy, entered Jakarta on the 18th, marking a new milestone in the expansion of the Indonesian Navy's capabilities.
According to local media reports, the Garibaldi entered Berth 107 at the Port of Tanjung Priok in northern Jakarta at 7:58 a.m. on the 18th, watched by key military officials including Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto, and Chief of Naval Staff Muhammad Ali.
The Garibaldi departed Italy on the 24th of last month and reached Indonesia via the Suez Canal, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean. It made port calls in several countries for resupply and maintenance before entering Indonesian territorial waters through the Bangka waters after passing Sri Lanka.
The Garibaldi is approximately 180 meters long and 33 meters wide, with four gas turbines producing about 81,000 horsepower. It has a top speed of 30 knots and can travel up to 7,000 nautical miles, or approximately 13,000 kilometers, when cruising at about 20 knots. Its flight deck can accommodate multiple helicopters, allowing the vessel to perform a range of missions, including search and rescue, medical evacuations, and disaster relief.
The Indonesian Navy is reportedly planning to name the Garibaldi KRI Sriwijaya. It has selected approximately 310 crew members and is providing them with training to operate the vessel's systems and equipment.
KRI Sriwijaya is expected to be used not only for combat missions but also for non-combat military operations (OMSP), including disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The former Italian Navy vessel operated AV-8B Harrier II vertical takeoff and landing fighter jets, but it has not yet been confirmed whether the Indonesian Navy will deploy the same aircraft aboard the carrier.
KRI Sriwijaya will operate across a wide area alongside the Indonesian Navy's existing forces, including submarines, frigates, patrol vessels, missile boats, patrol ships, landing ships, and hospital ships. Based on these capabilities, Indonesia plans to use KRI Sriwijaya for a range of missions, including territorial defense, disaster relief, and medical support.
[email protected] Aulia Maulida Hamdani, correspondent Reporter