Indonesia’s Carrier Ambitions Face Reality Check with Italian Acquisition
Indonesia is poised to acquire its first aircraft carrier, the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi, a move framed as a significant step toward bolstering maritime resilience and establishing a blue-water navy. However, experts caution that the aging vessel may present substantial challenges related to operational costs, fleet readiness, and alignment with Indonesia’s existing naval doctrine.
A Grant with Conditions
The transfer of the Giuseppe Garibaldi from Italy to Indonesia is structured as a grant, with Indonesia allocating a budget for necessary refits and adjustments to meet its operational needs. As reported by Channel NewsAsia, the deal also includes a reported $450 million loan for the carrier’s acquisition and associated systems, alongside additional funding for transport and utility helicopters. The acquisition aims to position Indonesia as the first full-deck carrier operator in Southeast Asia, signaling a shift towards a more assertive maritime presence amid growing regional naval competition.
Potential Challenges: A “Port Queen” Scenario?
Despite the strategic implications, concerns remain about the Giuseppe Garibaldi’s viability as a core component of Indonesia’s naval capabilities. The 40-year-old vessel, commissioned in 1985 and retired in 2024, risks becoming a costly “port queen” – a ship that spends more time in port than at sea – if Indonesia cannot adequately fund the necessary crews, escorts, and aviation assets to support its operations.
Indonesia’s naval readiness currently stands at approximately 60.93%, with an aging fleet and a shortage of vessels. This raises questions about whether sufficient escorts can be allocated to protect a carrier strike group. The Giuseppe Garibaldi lacks a well deck for heavy lift operations and requires short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jets, which Indonesia does not currently possess.
Strategic Considerations and Doctrine
The acquisition also raises questions about alignment with Indonesia’s existing naval doctrine, which is traditionally focused on a “Benteng Nusantara” (Fortress of the Archipelago) strategy – a defensive, littoral-centric approach centered on sea denial. The introduction of an offensive platform like an aircraft carrier could represent a departure from this established doctrine.
However, proponents argue that a carrier could serve multiple purposes beyond traditional power projection, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and safeguarding Indonesia’s sovereignty in key areas like the Natuna Islands and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The carrier could also serve as a platform for operating combat drones, such as the Turkish Bayraktar TB3, enhancing Indonesia’s surveillance and strike capabilities.
A Stepping Stone to Future Capabilities?
Despite the challenges, acquiring the Giuseppe Garibaldi may be a pragmatic step for Indonesia, providing a valuable learning opportunity to build carrier know-how before investing in a larger, more modern platform. If accompanied by sufficient investment in budgets, doctrine, and air wings, the acquisition could lay the foundation for a more capable Indonesian navy.
Expected Timeline
The Indonesian Navy anticipates the Giuseppe Garibaldi will arrive in Indonesia before October 5th, 2026, coinciding with the anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. Negotiations with Italy and Fincantieri are ongoing, with potential for Italian personnel to assist in the initial operation of the ship and for refits to be conducted within Indonesia.