Indonesia Welcomes First Aircraft Carrier as Ex-Italian 'Garibaldi' Arrives in Jakarta
The former Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi has arrived in Indonesian waters, marking a historic milestone for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). Renamed KRI Sriwijaya, the ship departed Taranto, Italy, on August 24, 2026, under a mixed crew led by Italian Captain Marco Guerriero. It transited the Suez Canal and made port calls in Egypt and Sri Lanka before entering Indonesia via the Malacca Strait. The vessel is expected to dock at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on September 18, 2026, and will feature prominently in the Indonesian Armed Forces' anniversary celebrations on October 5. The Navy states the carrier will primarily support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, as directed by President Prabowo Subianto. Prior to its arrival, Indonesian military personnel from the Navy, Army, and Air Force conducted joint helicopter landing exercises on a mock-up of the flight deck to prepare for operations.