Indonesia Prepares to Commission Former Italian Aircraft Carrier as Nation’s First Carrier Vessel

The former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi is expected to arrive in Indonesia and commissioned with the Indonesian Navy by September 2026. Photo c/o The Strategist.

Indonesia is preparing to enter a new chapter in its naval history with the arrival and commissioning of the former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, which is expected to join the Indonesian Navy next month as the country's first aircraft carrier.

Indonesian defense officials have confirmed that the 180-meter vessel is scheduled to arrive in Indonesian waters on September 20, following a transit voyage from Italy. The ship departed Europe this week and is expected to sail through the Suez Canal and Red Sea before reaching its new home port in Lampung, Sumatra.

The carrier, which served as the flagship of the Italian Navy before its retirement, is being transferred to Indonesia under a government-to-government agreement that underscores growing defense ties between Jakarta and Rome. Indonesian naval personnel have already undergone training in Italy to prepare for operating the ship upon its arrival.

According to Indonesian Navy officials, the vessel is slated for formal induction on September 25, when it is expected to be renamed KRI Gajah Mada and officially commissioned into Indonesian service. President Prabowo Subianto is anticipated to preside over the ceremony, during which the Italian flag will be lowered and the Indonesian naval ensign raised.

Preparations are underway at Ratai Bay, Lampung, where extensive infrastructure works, including berth upgrades and support facilities, are being completed ahead of the carrier's arrival. The location was selected for its strategic proximity to the Sunda Strait, one of the region's most important maritime chokepoints.

Defense analysts view the acquisition as a significant milestone in Indonesia's naval modernization program and its ambition to develop a more capable blue-water navy. While the ship is expected to operate primarily as a helicopter and unmanned aerial systems platform following modernization work, its introduction will provide Indonesia with a unique maritime aviation capability unmatched elsewhere in Southeast Asia outside Thailand's carrier force.

The commissioning of the former Giuseppe Garibaldi is expected to be one of Indonesia's most notable defense events of 2026, symbolizing the country's expanding maritime ambitions and growing regional naval presence