Since mid-last year, the attention and efforts of the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia and the Indonesian Navy have focused on the search for and acquisition of a new strategic projection platform, materializing their interest in the Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi, which was decommissioned by the Italian Navy in 2024. Over the past months, discussions between the governments of Indonesia and Italy have progressed positively, with proposals even being outlined for the ship’s refurbishment, overhaul, and modernization, including potential use for the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Recently, new official statements suggest that confirmation of its acquisition could take place in the coming months, while talks and negotiations continue to define various aspects of its potential transfer from Italy, which—through recent transfers of modern Thaon di Revel-class patrol vessels—has positioned itself favorably in official considerations.
The latest remarks, made by the Indonesian Navy through the head of the Defense Public Relations and Information Bureau (Karo Humas Infohan) of the Ministry of Defense Secretariat General, Brig. Gen. TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, went a step further by stating that the aircraft carrier Garibaldi would be transferred as a donation from Italy.
“Giuseppe Garibaldi is a donation from the Government of Italy. The budget prepared by the Indonesian government is allocated to retrofit needs or adjustments so that it meets the operational requirements of the TNI Angkatan Laut,” Brig. Gen. Rico told local media.
In addition to these statements, remarks were also made by the Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL), Adm. TNI Muhammad Ali, who expressed his hope that the process would conclude successfully and that the aircraft carrier could arrive in the country before or around October 5, an important date for Indonesia’s Armed Forces, when they celebrate their anniversary.
“As for the Garibaldi, it is still in process. The hope is that it can arrive in Indonesia before the Armed Forces anniversary,” Adm. Muhammad Ali said on February 12.
Finally, despite these statements, the process of transferring and donating the decommissioned aircraft carrier from the Italian Navy should be approached with caution, since—as noted—prior to its potential delivery to Indonesia it would need to undergo a comprehensive overhaul and modifications to meet the country’s operational requirements.
To that end, Fincantieri presented a proposal in 2025 focused on modifying the carrier for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, effectively transforming it into a kind of drone carrier.
It should also be noted that during last year’s Indodefence exhibition, held in Jakarta, local companies presented a model of the Garibaldi with significant modifications, featuring an embarked air group composed of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles highly similar to the Turkish Bayraktar TB3 models. It remains unclear whether these firms would partner with the Italian company to carry out such work.
From the Italian company, Naval Business Unit sales executive Mauro Manzini stated: “Giuseppe Garibaldi is in good condition and has approximately 15 to 20 years of service life remaining. The ship can be transferred after a refurbishment process tailored to the specific needs of the Indonesian Navy.”
Lastly, prior to these developments, Indonesia’s National Development Planning Ministry (BAPPENAS) approved a financing ceiling of US$450 million for the purchase of the aircraft carrier and the equipment required for its future operation, through export credit agencies, bilateral creditors, or private institutions.
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