Indonesia welcomes former Italian warship as its first aircraft carrier

Jakarta has welcomed a former Italian Navy aircraft carrier into its fleet, marking a significant boost to Indonesia's modernizing military efforts. The 41-year-old Giuseppe Garibaldi docked at Tanjung Priok port after traveling from Italy via Colombo and the Malacca strait. Indonesian Navy chief of staff Muhammad Ali announced that the carrier will be renamed KRI Sriwijaya and will focus on non-military operations, particularly disaster relief.

With its 180-meter (590-feet) length, the vessel can accommodate up to 18 helicopters and 830 personnel, making it a valuable asset for rapid logistics deployment in remote areas. Ali expressed optimism that the ship could serve the Indonesian Navy for the next 15 to 20 years. President Prabowo Subianto, who took office in 2024, has prioritized upgrading Indonesia's aging military assets and strengthening defense ties with other nations.

In 2022, Jakarta entered into a $8.1 billion deal to purchase 42 French-made Rafale fighter jets, with six already delivered by May. In July, India committed to supplying Indonesia with long-range missiles, following Prabowo's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In April, the United States elevated its defense cooperation with Indonesia to a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership, while Australia and Indonesia signed a security treaty in February, fostering closer military collaboration.