Indonesia interested to acquire former Italian carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi

The ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) participating in Exercise Majestic Eagle 2004. Photo c/o US Navy through Wikimedia Commons.

The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) was reported to be taking interest in acquiring the Italian Navy’s retired small aircraft carrier, the former ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (551).

This was according to a report on 06 March 2025 by British defense media outlet Janes, citing their sources from the Italian Navy. 

Aside from the ship, Janes reported that Indonesia might also be interested in acquiring some of the Italian Navy’s AV-8B Harrier II short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) combat aircraft, which will be operating from the carrier.

Last February, the Indonesian Navy announced that it has raised a request for an aircraft carrier capable of  supporting non-combat military operations. This is part of their requirement under the Indonesian Armed Forces’ (TNI) multi-year Minimum Essential Force military modernization program.

The ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi was previously the Italian Navy’s flagship and sole aircraft carrier since 1985 until it was replaced in 2024 by the newer STOVL carrier / helicopter landing dock ITS Trieste. 

There has been lingering rumours in Indonesia since October 2024 about the possibility of acquiring the former ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi as the Indonesian Ministry of Defence led by then Defence Minister and now Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto were reaching a deal to acquire two Multirole Offshore Patrol Ships from Italy.

Indonesian defense bloggers reported that Italy offered to sell the ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi to Indonesia for around US$390 million although no details were provided indicating the coverage of such offer.

The Giuseppe Garibaldi was built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in their Monfalcone facility, and was launched on 11 June 1983. It was commissioned with the Italian Navy on 30 September 1985 to become its foremost surface asset.

The ship is 180.2 meters long, a maximum width of 33.4 meters, and a full load displacement of 14,150 tons.

It can carry a total of 18 aircraft consisting of a mix of AV-8B Harrier STOVL combat aircraft and AW101 naval helicopters.

[1] Janes

[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal