Indonesia commissions former Italian carrier as KRI Sriwijaya, expanding its naval fleet

Indonesia officially received the former Italian Navy carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, lowering the Italian tricolor and raising the red-and-white Indonesian flag as it was recommissioned KRI Sriwijaya (100). Built in 1985, the 41-year-old light carrier completed a 25-day transit through the Suez Canal and Indian Ocean before arriving in Jakarta. It will operate a rotary-wing air wing of 10-18 helicopters and drones, since Indonesia lacks carrier-capable fixed-wing aircraft.

Navy spokesperson Tunggul noted the ship will serve as a mobile command and support hub, while President Prabowo Subianto highlighted its role in fighting forest and peatland fires. Italy donated the vessel, but Indonesia faces refurbishment expenses estimated at roughly 16 trillion rupiah ($900 million), exceeding the initially approved $450 million and raising budgetary concerns. The acquisition makes Indonesia the second Southeast Asian nation with an aircraft carrier, after Thailand’s HTMS Chakri Naruebet, though the ship’s useful life may be limited to 15-20 years.