The Indonesian Navy is pursuing the acquisition of the Giuseppe Garibaldi, an aircraft carrier previously operated by the Italian Navy, a move seen as part of efforts to strengthen the fleet and expand its operational capabilities at sea.

Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali, has confirmed that discussions with the Italian side are still ongoing.

“Regarding the aircraft carrier, further details can be asked from the Italian side, but we are working to acquire the Garibaldi, which used to belong to the Italian Navy, and we hope it can enhance our fleet’s strength,” Ali said during his visit aboard KRI Brawijaya-320 at Pier 107, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Monday, September 8, 2025.

According to Ali, the vessel would primarily be deployed for Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), though it could also support wartime missions if needed.

The plan stems from the navy’s interest in light aircraft carriers currently in service in Italy and Turkiye.

During Ali’s visit, he was welcomed by Deputy Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto. The Giuseppe Garibaldi holds historic significance as the first aircraft carrier built for the Italian Navy, designed to operate fixed-wing aircraft.

Commissioned on September 30, 1985, the Garibaldi measures 180.2 meters in length, has a top speed of 30 knots, and a range of up to 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 kilometers). It was decommissioned on October 1, 2024.

Not long after Ali’s meeting, three Italian Navy warships made a reciprocal visit to Indonesia on September 14, 2024. Among them was the aircraft carrier Cavour (C-550), a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) carrier capable of operating F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier fighter jets with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability.