Indonesia welcomes its first aircraft carrier, prompting debate over cost and military ambitions

Indonesia officially welcomed its first aircraft carrier on Friday, a former Italian warship named Giuseppe Garibaldi. The 41-year-old vessel, capable of launching short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft and helicopters, arrived at a naval base in North Jakarta's Tanjung Priok seaport amid a military ceremony. The handover was a result of Italy's agreement to gift the retired carrier in 2024, aimed at strengthening Indonesia's defense and defense cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation, while also saving Italy the cost of decommissioning the ship.

Admiral Muhammad Ali, the Indonesian Navy chief, emphasized that the ship would primarily be used for military operations other than war, though combat missions are possible if needed. Ali further stated that the carrier could serve the navy for another 15 to 20 years and accommodate up to 14 helicopters or more, depending on their size.

The acquisition makes Indonesia the second Southeast Asian country to possess an aircraft carrier, following Thailand's HTMS Chakri Naruebet, which entered service in 1997. The Giuseppe Garibaldi will be commissioned as KRI Sriwijaya, honoring the maritime kingdom of Srivijaya that dominated Southeast Asia's trade and naval power from the seventh to the 13th centuries.

The decision to acquire the carrier has sparked debates over its necessity and the associated costs. The Indonesian Finance Ministry approved $450 million in financing for the aircraft carrier program in 2025, but some lawmakers have cautioned that the total cost could be significantly higher, with retrofitting the carrier alone potentially reaching 16 trillion rupiah (around $900 million).

While the Navy views the vessel as a mobile command center and support hub for helicopters, drones, and maritime operations across Indonesia's thousands of islands, critics argue that operating a carrier is extremely costly and questions whether it is a necessary investment for the country's defense or disaster-relief needs. Critics also point to examples like Thailand's carrier, which has frequently been in port due to operational and budget constraints.