A Historic Arrival and Strategic Vision
On Friday morning, 18 September 2026, the former Italian naval vessel *ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi* slipped into the naval base at Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. The 41‑year‑old carrier, capable of short‑takeoff and vertical‑landing operations for both aircraft and helicopters, was greeted with a full military ceremony. The ship, which had been retired by Rome in 2024, arrived as a gift from Italy, a move intended to deepen defence ties between Rome and Jakarta. Italian officials described the transfer as a catalyst for broader cooperation, hinting at future deals on submarines and fighter aircraft. For Indonesia, the arrival marks the first time an aircraft carrier joins the fleet, positioning the archipelagic nation alongside Thailand’s *HTMS Chakri Naruebet* as the only Southeast Asian countries to possess such a platform.
President Prabowo Subianto has long championed a more robust military posture, pushing for submarines, frigates, fighter jets and missiles. The new carrier will be formally commissioned next week as KRI Gajah Mada, named after the celebrated 14th‑century Majapahit commander whose vision of a unified archipelago resonates deeply with contemporary Indonesian nationalism. In a recent disaster‑management briefing, Prabowo outlined an ambitious non‑combat role for the vessel. He described how it could host up to ten medium‑sized helicopters—comparable to Black Hawk and Mi‑17 models—capable of delivering large water‑bombing loads to battle the recurrent forest and peatland blazes that blanket the region in hazardous haze. The ship will also serve as a mobile command hub for drones and maritime operations across Indonesia’s thousands of islands.
Financial Implications and Political Controversy
The acquisition, however, has ignited a fierce public debate. The finance ministry approved $450 million in financing for the carrier programme in 2025, yet opposition lawmakers and fiscal analysts warn that the total bill could far exceed that figure. MP TB Hasanuddin, a member of Parliament’s Commission I, cautioned that retrofitting alone could cost 16 trillion rupiah—approximately $900 million. He argued that such expenditure is ill‑timed, given the government’s mounting fiscal pressures and the recent controversies surrounding the free nutritious meals scheme, which has been marred by food‑poisoning incidents.
Economists point to a slowing growth trajectory, weaker state revenues and tightening budget constraints. They urge greater transparency regarding the carrier’s operational sustainability, including personnel, maintenance, fuel and weapons systems. Muhammad Fauzan Malufti of the Center for Strategic and International Studies stressed that “the plan to acquire the Garibaldi must be based on genuine operational needs and our ability to operate it, rather than being driven by pride or other considerations.” He cited Thailand’s carrier, which has spent much of its service life docked due to budgetary and technical challenges, as a cautionary tale. “The bottom line is that this should not be forced. Otherwise, the benefits could be outweighed by the costs,” Fauzan warned, suggesting that funds might be better allocated to expanding the frigate fleet.
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin defended the purchase, highlighting the vessel’s dual utility as a symbol of national power and a multi‑function platform. Military analyst Khairul Fahmi of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies noted that while aircraft carriers are not a priority for Indonesia’s immediate maritime defence—submarines, frigates and asymmetric weapons systems are deemed more essential—they could nonetheless serve as a versatile hub for a range of missions, both military and humanitarian.
Operational Role and Disaster‑Response Potential
Indonesia’s strategic calculus for the carrier diverges from that of traditional naval powers. Rather than projecting force far beyond its shores, Jakarta envisions the vessel as a mobile command centre and support hub for helicopters, drones and maritime operations across its dispersed archipelago. The ship’s flight deck will accommodate a mix of rotary and fixed‑wing aircraft, enabling rapid response to natural disasters that are endemic to the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Prabowo has outlined plans to use the carrier as a floating base for water‑bombing missions, deploying medium‑sized helicopters to areas with intense fire hotspots. The platform will also host drone operations, providing aerial surveillance and coordination for rescue teams. In a region where peatland fires can escalate into regional crises, the carrier’s ability to operate independently for extended periods could be a game‑changer for disaster mitigation and humanitarian assistance.
However, operating a carrier is notoriously expensive. The Indonesian Navy will need to invest heavily in training, logistics, and maintenance infrastructure. Experts question whether the fleet possesses the requisite expertise and resources to sustain such a platform, especially given the ship’s age. The vessel’s retirement from Italian service in 2024 means it will require extensive modernisation, a process that has already been estimated to cost billions.
Regional Context and Future Outlook
The arrival of the *Giuseppe Garibaldi* reshapes the naval balance in Southeast Asia. With only Thailand fielding a carrier, Indonesia now joins an exclusive club, albeit with a vessel that will be primarily used for disaster response and limited power projection. The move reflects a broader trend of Asian nations investing in blue‑water capabilities, driven by concerns over territorial disputes and the need to protect extensive maritime economic zones.
Italy’s gesture also underscores its ambition to expand defence partnerships in the Indo‑Pacific. By gifting a retired carrier, Rome not only strengthens diplomatic ties but also opens avenues for future arms sales. For Jakarta, the carrier represents both a strategic asset and a political statement, signalling a desire to be recognised as a major maritime power.
Looking ahead, the success of the carrier will hinge on fiscal prudence and operational effectiveness. If the Indonesian Navy can integrate the platform into its disaster‑response toolkit without draining the treasury, the vessel could become a cornerstone of regional crisis management. Conversely, if budgetary overruns and maintenance challenges mount, critics may argue that the money would have been better spent on more cost‑effective naval assets.
Why it Matters
The commissioning of Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier is more than a symbolic triumph; it is a litmus test of the nation’s strategic priorities and fiscal responsibility. As Jakarta wrestles with competing demands for defence modernisation, disaster resilience and socioeconomic development, the carrier’s role will define whether this ambitious investment yields tangible security and humanitarian benefits or becomes a cautionary footnote in the country’s naval history. The outcome will reverberate across the Indo‑Pacific, influencing regional naval dynamics and shaping the future of Indonesia’s maritime posture.