Still In Acquisition Process, Why Indonesia Purchased Garibaldi's Former Italian Aircraft Carrier

Illustration of aircraft carriers (Pixabay)

The Indonesian government is currently finalizing the acquisition of the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi (c-511) which has been retired by the Italian military in 2024. If this process is completed, the Indonesian Navy (AL) will get a new fleet to maintain Indonesia's maritime sovereignty. So, why did Indonesia buy a former Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy? To find out, let's look at the article below.

According to a report by the Militar Zone on September 19, 2025, Indonesia officially took steps to acquire the retired Italian aircraft carrier, ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi.

The move was marked by approval of a financing plan that combines aircraft carrier acquisition with the procurement of new helicopters. The Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) grants permission to use foreign loans with a ceiling of up to 450 million US dollars for aircraft carriers, 250 million US dollars for new transport helicopters, and 300 million US dollars for helicopter utilities, quoted from the Army Recognition website.

The allocation of funds was confirmed through a letter dated August 29, 2025 from Minister Rachmat Pambudy to the Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The letter also included the three projects in the priority list entitled to international funding.

Loans can be sourced from export credit institutions, bilateral creditors, and private lenders, thus providing flexibility in the financing structure.

Although it was not directly stated that the helicopter would be operated from the aircraft carrier, the planning document showed the potential for use if the transfer process was realized.

Proposals submitted to Indonesia in 2025 include the adaptation of Garibaldi aircraft carriers to support the operation of helicopters and combat drones (UAVs). At the 2025 Indodefence event, a local company even featured a model of the concept of ships with two islands as well as the Turkish UAV Bayraktar TB3 model, which Indonesia is indeed interested in.

The domestic defense industry has signed a deal with Baykar and Republicans to produce locally 60 maritime versions of TB3 and 9 units of UAV Akinci. TB3 itself has successfully conducted a ski-jump take-off test on the Turkish aircraft carrier Anadolu, which signifies suitability with the Garibaldi deck.

In July 2025, the Italian company delegation Fincantieri came to Jakarta with experts, including former ship commanders and engineers, to present the four main areas of Garibaldi's profit work.

Although details regarding modifications, costs, and the duration of the work have not been published, the discussion is in line with Indonesia's wider Italia cooperation. This collaboration previously included the procurement of two multipurpose PPA fighter vessels named Brawijaya 320 and Prabu Siliwangi 321.

This financing approval took place amid the implementation of the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) program and the Indonesian maritime modernization agenda. The Garibaldi acquisition package as well as helicopter is projected to be a mobile flight center for anti-submarine operations, maritime patrols, disaster relief, and UAV integration. In addition, ships also have the potential to carry out non-strict missions, such as humanitarian assistance and regional supervision.

In the long-term plan, the Indonesian Navy targets the operation of at least four amphibious helicopter aircraft carriers. To that end, PT PAL has proposed the construction of similar ships domestically with the support of international partners, including Fincantieri and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The ITS aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi was built by the Fincantieri Monfalcone ship on June 11, 1983. This aircraft carrier weighing 14,000 tons can operate the AV-8B Harier II fighter jet and anti-submarine helicopter, quoted from Marina Difesa page.

Garibaldi's aircraft carrier is equipped with four Fiat COGAG (Combine gas turbines and turbine gases) turbines capable of producing a maximum speed of 30 knots and can cover a distance of 13,000 km.

In addition, the aircraft carrier also has three 40mm/70mm twin Meriam from Oto Melara, two torpedo launchers, three ILAS 3 tubes, and a MBDA long-range surface-to-surface missile system, and is equipped with an SLAT anti-torpedo system.

Garibaldi's aircraft carrier length reaches 174 m and a width of 30.5 m. This ship can accommodate 18 helicopters, such as Agusta Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King or Agusta Bell AB212.

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