Conflict & Security
Indonesia takes delivery of its first aircraft carrier, the former Italian vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi
September 18, 2026 at 08:26 AM
Indonesia has taken delivery of its first aircraft carrier, the 41-year-old former Italian navy vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi, at a ceremony in Jakarta.
- The vessel docked at Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta on September 18, 2026, where it was welcomed with a military ceremony.
- Navy Chief of Staff Muhammad Ali said the carrier will support disaster relief by airlifting logistics to remote areas and could be deployed for combat missions if necessary.
- President Prabowo Subianto said the vessel will be used to manage disasters across the archipelago, including forest and peatland fires.
- Italy agreed in March to give Indonesia the carrier; the Finance Ministry approved $450m in financing in 2025, and lawmaker TB Hasanuddin said retrofitting could cost about $900m.