Where Indonesia Will Homeport Its First Italian Aircraft Carrier

Indonesia’s military modernization push has reached a notable milestone with the arrival of its first aircraft carrier. The former Italian Navy vessel, the Giuseppe Garibaldi docked at Pier 107 of Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, on Friday, September 18, 2026, after sailing from Italy via Colombo and the Malacca strait.

Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali stated that the Navy is concurrently preparing the facility to berth the vessel donated by the Italian government. Ali explained that the vessel currently remains under the ownership of the Italian Navy and is scheduled to be handed over and officially join the Indonesian Navy fleet as a Ship of the Republic of Indonesia on September 24. During the handover ceremony, the Indonesian Navy also plans to conduct a reflagging ceremony to switch the flag from Italy to Indonesia, officially renaming the vessel KRI Sriwijaya.

Homeporting in Lampung and Operational Specifications

The aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi will be stationed at a new naval base in Teluk Ratai, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung Province. According to naval leadership, the water depth in Lampung ideally accommodates the warship’s operational specifications.

“The Garibaldi has a draft of around 8.5 meters, so the water depth is sufficient,”

Adm. Muhammad Ali, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, via Tempo

Admiral Ali added that Lampung’s navigational routes are favorable and sheltered, providing a safe harbor for the Garibaldi. Measuring 180.2 meters long and 33.4 meters wide, the vessel can accommodate at least 14 helicopters, according to figures reported by Tempo, while navy spokesman Vice Admiral Tunggul noted the platform can carry up to 18 helicopters and accommodate up to 830 personnel in total.

Disaster Relief Focus Versus Combat Capabilities

Admiral Ali expressed confidence in the platform’s enduring utility, stating that its condition is still very good and hopefully it can be used by the Indonesian Navy for the next 15 to 20 years.

Rather than deploying as a traditional power-projection strike carrier, the KRI Sriwijaya will initially be assigned to the Auxiliary Vessel Unit. Ali stated, We are still considering whether to establish a new unit within the Marine Corps Fleet Force or under the Naval Fleet Command.

“There are many disasters in this country. So we really need a vessel or platform that could carry many helicopters, because the helicopters can drop logistics quickly to remote areas,”

Admiral Muhammad Ali, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, via Tempo

In addition to responding to natural disasters and supporting response efforts during forest and land fires, the carrier’s vast deck space addresses a critical geographic need for an archipelago prone to isolated emergencies. While disaster response remains the primary mission, the Navy has not completely ruled out combat deployments. Admiral Ali noted that escorting an operational aircraft carrier does not necessarily require a destroyer, stating that a frigate can also provide escort capabilities as long as it is equipped with anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and electronic warfare systems.

Strategic Modernization and External Skepticism

The acquisition of the Giuseppe Garibaldi unfolds amid a broader military modernization initiative championed by President Prabowo Subianto, a former general elected in 2024 who has been pushing to modernise Indonesia’s ageing military assets and build closer defence cooperation with other countries. Jakarta signed an $8.1 billion deal in 2022 under Prabowo, then the defence minister, to purchase 42 French-made Rafale fighters, with six jets having been delivered by May. Furthermore, Indonesia ordered two Scorpene-class submarines from French defence firm Naval Group in 2024, with construction started in August, and India confirmed in July that it will supply Indonesia with long-range missiles. Indonesia also signed a security treaty with Australia in February, and China and Indonesia agreed in August to boost military ties and work closely on minerals, energy, and technology as Jakarta seeks to balance ties with both Beijing and Washington.

However, the carrier acquisition has drawn scrutiny from analysts who questioned the acquisition of the carrier, saying the vessel will likely need maintenance and noting Indonesia has more pressing concerns such as foreign debts. Muhammad Fauzan Malufti, a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, suggested it might not be effective for use in conflicts, stating that if its primary function is for disaster relief, its armament might be minimal, adding that it could further limit the carrier’s combat capability.

Despite these debates, Tunggul told AFP that the government carried out a thorough assessment before proceeding with the acquisition. As the official handover approaches on September 24, the vessel will begin its service under the Indonesian flag.