TNI Targets Italian Naval Carrier To Strengthen Indonesia's Defense

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali said his party was eyeing the Italian Navy's aircraft carrier, Giussepe Garibaldi, to be acquired into Indonesia.

"We are trying to acquire the aircraft carrier that was previously owned by the Italian Navy, namely Garibaldi, and later we hope to strengthen our ranks," Ali said when met at the welcoming activity of KRI Brawijaya 320 in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Monday, September 8.

If this effort is successful, then the Italian-made ship will become Indonesia's first aircraft carrier.

The ship, said Ali, would be more intended to help the TNI carry out humanitarian missions or Military Operations Other than War (OMSP).

"We use it more for OMSP, but it can also be used for Military Operations for War," Ali explained.

However, Ali did not explain the extent of the ongoing acquisition process between the Indonesian Navy, the Ministry of Defense and the Italian side.

Ali also did not explain how much the government had to pay to take the aircraft carrier home.

To note, this aircraft carrier has similarities with KRI Brawijaya 320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi 321, which are the same as made by Italian company Fincantieri.

The aircraft carrier with a length of 180.2 meters is equipped with a super-driven engine that can drive the ship at a speed of 30 knots or 56 kilometers per hour.

This fighter aircraft carrier is also equipped with several jamming radars to weapons such as Mk.29 octupel launchers for Sea Sparrow / Selenia Aspide anti-aircraft missiles, Oto Melara Kembar 40L70 DARDO, 324 mm triple torpedo tubes and Otomat Mk 2 SSM.