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Indonesia Welcomes Its First Aircraft Carrier
Confirmed
In Short: The former Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi has entered Indonesian waters and will be renamed KRI Sriwijaya.
The former Italian light aircraft carrier, now named KRI Sriwijaya, entered Indonesian territorial waters on September 17, 2026, marking a historic milestone for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). The ship, which can accommodate up to 550 sailors and carry 18 fighters/bombers or helicopters, has a maximum speed of 30 knots and a cruising range of 7,000 nautical miles.
The carrier, acquired through an intergovernmental grant scheme, departed Taranto, Italy, on August 24, with a mixed Italian and Indonesian crew. During its journey, it transited the Suez Canal and made port calls in Egypt and Sri Lanka, before being welcomed into Indonesian waters by two Indonesian Navy frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft.
The KRI Sriwijaya will be based at the Ratai Bay Naval Base in Lampung, South Sumatra, which has been rebuilt to accommodate the carrier. The ship is expected to play a significant role in the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ anniversary celebrations on October 5.
Military analyst Khairul Fahmi noted that while aircraft carriers are not a priority for Indonesia, the country is focused on preventing adversaries from operating freely in its territorial waters. Fahmi emphasized the need for submarines, frigates, and asymmetric weapons systems to protect maritime sovereignty.
Despite questions about the necessity and cost of the carrier, Indonesian officials remain optimistic. TB Hasanuddin, a member of Parliament’s Commission I, said the carrier could serve for another 15 to 20 years and would be refurbished to accommodate helicopters and drones.
What's confirmed
- The former Italian light aircraft carrier, now named KRI Sriwijaya, entered Indonesian territorial waters on September 17, 2026, marking a historic milestone for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). The ship, which can accommodate up to 550 sailors and carry 18 fighters/bombers or helicopters, has a maximum speed of 30 knots and a cruising range of 7,000 nautical miles.
- The carrier, acquired through an intergovernmental grant scheme, departed Taranto, Italy, on August 24, with a mixed Italian and Indonesian crew. During its journey, it transited the Suez Canal and made port calls in Egypt and Sri Lanka, before being welcomed into Indonesian waters by two Indonesian Navy frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft.
- The KRI Sriwijaya will be based at the Ratai Bay Naval Base in Lampung, South Sumatra, which has been rebuilt to accommodate the carrier. The ship is expected to play a significant role in the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ anniversary celebrations on October 5.
- Military analyst Khairul Fahmi noted that while aircraft carriers are not a priority for Indonesia, the country is focused on preventing adversaries from operating freely in its territorial waters. Fahmi emphasized the need for submarines, frigates, and asymmetric weapons systems to protect maritime sovereignty.
- Despite questions about the necessity and cost of the carrier, Indonesian officials remain optimistic. TB Hasanuddin, a member of Parliament’s Commission I, said the carrier could serve for another 15 to 20 years and would be refurbished to accommodate helicopters and drones.
What's still developing
- The carrier is powered by four Fiat COGAG gas turbines built under license from General Electric, offering a sustained power of 81,000 hp (60 MW).
- Italian warships also reportedly escorted the carrier during part of its passage through the Red Sea.
- Unlike the two Multipurpose Combat Ship/Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) frigates that Indonesia also acquired from Italy, the future KRI Sriwijaya entered Indonesia through the Malacca Strait instead of the Sunda Strait.
- A CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft also took part in the welcoming operation.
- Ali said the carrier will be commissioned into the navy next week as the KRI Sriwijaya, honoring the Srivijaya empire, a maritime kingdom based in Sumatra that became one of Southeast Asia’s dominant naval and trading powers between the seventh and 13th centuries.
- “We will refurbish it and convert it into a carrier for helicopters and drones,” Prabowo said in a video briefing.
- He cited Thailand’s carrier as a cautionary example, saying it has spent much of its service life in port because of operational and budget constraints.
- JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia welcomed its first aircraft carrier Friday, a former Italian warship that the government says will strengthen the archipelago nation’s maritime security and disaster response capabilities.