Indonesia to Acquire Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier from Italy Grant, Says Ministry Official
Reporter
February 13, 2026 | 11:27 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Defense Ministry said the talks to acquire the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy are nearly complete. According to ministry's head of defense information, Rico Ricardo, the country's first aircraft carrier is acquired as a grant from the Italian government
"In the context of this grant, there is no cost to purchase the vessel," he said when contacted on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Thus, according to Rico, Indonesia's financial obligations are reduced to retrofitting, system adjustments, and other operational costs from the transfer process. "We are also preparing to adjust the aircraft carrier to meet the needs of the Indonesian Navy," he said.
Indonesia has been exploring the plan to acquire the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy since last year. This is claimed as part of the Indonesian Navy's fleet reinforcement and expansion of its operational capabilities.
The Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier has been operational since 1985. The 180.2-meter-long vessel was designed by the Italian company Fincantieri, the same company that also produced two new warships owned by the Indonesian Navy, purchased in 2024. The two vessels are KRI Brawijaya 320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi 321.
The aircraft carrier is equipped with super-power engines capable of propelling the ship at a speed of 30 knots or 56 kilometers per hour and able to travel up to 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 kilometers).
Indonesia is planning to use the aircraft carrier in support of military operations outside war, especially in mobilizing logistics in areas affected by major disasters.
Dani Aswara contributed to the writing of this article.
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