Indonesia Receives First Aircraft Carrier Amid Military Modernization Efforts

Indonesia has received its first aircraft carrier, the former Italian navy vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi, during a military ceremony at a naval base. The ship arrived at North Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok seaport on Friday after traveling from Italy via Colombo and the Malacca Strait, according to Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Muhammad Ali. President Prabowo Subianto stated that the vessel will assist in disaster management across the archipelago, although its arrival coincides with ongoing military upgrades. The 180-meter (590-foot) carrier can carry up to 18 helicopters and accommodate up to 830 personnel. It will be renamed KRI Sriwijaya, in honor of the Srivijaya empire, a significant maritime kingdom in Southeast Asia from the seventh to the 13th centuries. Ali emphasized the need for such a vessel to quickly deliver logistics to remote areas during disasters, while also noting its potential for combat missions if required. The carrier was commissioned by the Italian navy in 1985 and was retired in 2014 before being gifted to Indonesia in March as part of strengthening defense ties between the two nations. Indonesia's Finance Ministry has approved $450 million in financing for the aircraft carrier program for 2025, although some opposition politicians express concerns about the total costs. Prabowo, a former general under the Suharto regime, has prioritized enhancing Indonesia’s defense capabilities, including a recent $8.1 billion deal for 42 French-made Rafale fighter jets and agreements for long-range missiles from India. Additionally, Indonesia has established a “Major Defence Cooperation Partnership” with the United States and a security treaty with Australia.