Indonesian Navy vessels conduct maritime operations. (Indonesian National Police)
Indonesia’s newly acquired aircraft carrier, the ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, is expected to make its debut as KRI Gajah Mada during celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) in October 2026.
Indonesian Navy Information Service Chief First Admiral Tunggul said the carrier is expected to take part in a sailing pass alongside other Indonesian Navy vessels and major weapons systems. It is also planned to host VVIP guests, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, ministers and senior TNI officials.
The vessel departed Italy on August 24 and is expected to arrive in Indonesia in mid-September after a roughly three-week voyage. The carrier was acquired as a strategic grant from Italy, with Indonesia budgeting for an estimated 8 trillion Indonesian rupiah (450 million US dollar) retrofit to adapt the ship to Indonesian Navy requirements.
Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali said a formal handover and flag-changing ceremony is scheduled for September 25, when the vessel is due to be renamed KRI Gajah Mada and enter Indonesian service. He also added that the carrier is eventually expected to operate helicopters from the Indonesian Navy, Air Force and Army, with Indonesian pilots to receive training for carrier operations.
The planned route includes the Suez Canal, followed by stops in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Colombo, Sri Lanka, before the ship continues to Indonesia. Further details of the voyage remain subject to operational and navigation requirements.
About 100 Indonesian Navy personnel have travelled to Italy for training ahead of the transfer. They will sail with Italian personnel as part of a joint crew before responsibility for the ship is gradually transferred to the Indonesian Navy.
The carrier’s planned entry into service comes as Indonesia continues to develop its maritime capabilities. The government has not yet detailed the full operational concept for the vessel following its formal transfer.
The carrier’s planned debut represents a significant expansion of Indonesia’s naval capabilities and could strengthen Jakarta’s ability to support maritime security, military mobility and regional engagement, while incorporating into the TNI fleet which also signals a greater emphasis on developing joint-service maritime operations. For Indonesia, the challenge will be converting the platform into an effective operational capability through sustained training, logistics and doctrine development.
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