By Abida Kahlun,
Bureau Chief Snn News Finland
Indonesia Gets First Aircraft carrier is now at sea, after Italy transferred its decommissioned flagship, the Giuseppe Garibaldi, to the Indonesian Navy, according to sources familiar with the transfer.
The vessel left the Italian port of Taranto on August 24, still flying the Italian flag, and is sailing toward Indonesia via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
The ship is expected to arrive in mid-September, sources say, ahead of a formal handover ceremony planned for September 25.
On that date, the carrier will reportedly be renamed KRI Gajah Mada, and Indonesia Gets First Aircraft President Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the ceremony, according to the notes provided to this agency.
Neither the Italian nor Indonesian defense ministries have publicly confirmed the president’s attendance at the time of writing.
Indonesia Reaches a Major Naval Milestone
The acquisition marks Indonesia’s first-ever aircraft carrier, a significant step for a navy that has traditionally relied on frigates, corvettes, and submarines to patrol the archipelago’s vast waters.
Analysts note that carriers extend a navy’s reach well beyond coastal defense, allowing for sustained air operations far from home ports.
Italy is said to have provided the Garibaldi to Indonesia free of charge, a detail consistent with how European navies have previously transferred aging hardware to allied or partner nations rather than scrapping it.
The Garibaldi served in the Italian Navy for decades before its decommissioning.
Free Ship, Expensive Navy
Receiving a carrier at no cost does not mean operating one is cheap. According to defense observers, the real expense of Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier lies ahead: procuring compatible aircraft, training flight deck and engineering crews, and funding years of upkeep needed to keep a decades-old hull seaworthy.
A carrier without an air wing has limited operational value, so Indonesia’s next decisions on Indonesia Gets First Aircraft type, pilot training, and maintenance contracts will likely determine how quickly KRI Gajah Mada becomes a genuine combat asset rather than a symbolic one.
Key Facts
- The Giuseppe Garibaldi departed Taranto, Italy, on August 24, still under the Italian flag.
- The carrier is transiting via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, with arrival expected mid-September.
- On September 25, the ship is expected to be renamed KRI Gajah Mada in a handover ceremony.
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend, according to sources.
- This marks Indonesia’s first-ever aircraft carrier in its naval fleet.
- Italy reportedly transferred the vessel at no cost, though operating costs remain substantial.
- Indonesia Gets First Aircraft
FAQs:
Is this really Indonesia Gets First Aircraft carrier?
Yes. According to available reports, Indonesia has not previously operated an aircraft carrier, making the ex-Garibaldi the first vessel of its kind in the Indonesian Navy.
What was the ship called before, and what will it be renamed?
The vessel served in the Italian Navy as the Giuseppe Garibaldi. Sources indicate it will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada upon transfer to Indonesia Gets First Aircraft.
When will the ship arrive in Indonesia?
The carrier departed Italy on August 24 and is expected to arrive in mid-September, based on its Suez Canal and Red Sea route.
Did Indonesia pay for the aircraft carrier?
According to the information available, Italy provided the ship free of charge. However, ongoing costs for aircraft, crew training, and maintenance are expected to be substantial.
Will Indonesia’s president attend the handover?
Sources indicate President Prabowo Subianto is expected to be present at the September 25 renaming ceremony, though this has not been independently confirmed by official statements.
Route and Timeline
The Garibaldi’s voyage from Taranto to Indonesia Gets First Aircraft is a multi-week transit. Departing Italy’s Adriatic coast on August 24, the ship is routed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, a corridor that has seen heightened security concerns in recent years due to regional tensions.
Sources indicate the ship is expected to reach Indonesian waters by mid-September, roughly three weeks after departure.
Read more about how Indonesia Gets First Aircraft Carrier as the country expands its naval capabilities.
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