Indonesia wants to buy the decommissioned Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi
Ten years ago, Indonesia rejected the need for aircraft carriers, but now it is interested in acquiring a ship of this class, considering the option of obtaining a second-hand Italian aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Here's What We Know
In 2014, the leadership of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) stated that the country did not need an aircraft carrier, as it did not intend to expand its military presence beyond its borders. TNI Chief of Staff General Moeldoko stressed that this type of ship was not in line with the country's defence doctrine, and that Indonesia could use its islands as air bases. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Marsetyo, also noted that aircraft carriers were only needed for navies with expeditionary missions.
However, ten years later, Jakarta's position changed. In 2024, the current head of TNI, Admiral Muhammad Ali, expressed support for the idea of acquiring an aircraft carrier to perform tasks under the concept of "military operations other than war" (OMSP), which includes humanitarian assistance, maritime security and disaster response.
Giuseppe Garibaldi and the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. Illustration: US NAVY
Despite the stated peacekeeping goals, this step coincides with the general trend of modernisation of the Indonesian Navy. Recently, the country has purchased two Italian Taon de Revel multi-purpose offshore patrol boats, two British-designed Arrowhead 140 frigates, and two Scorpène Evolved submarines from France.
At the same time, Indonesia does not have the capacity to build aircraft carriers on its own, so it is considering purchasing a used ship. According to the British newspaper Janes, Jakarta has expressed interest in the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, which was put on standby after the commissioning of its successor, the ITS Trieste.
The ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, built in the 1980s by Fincantieri, has a displacement of about 14,000 tonnes and is capable of carrying up to eight AV-8B Harrier II STOVL aircraft and three EH-101 helicopters. The acquisition of this ship would be in line with Indonesia's Minimum Essential Force (MEF) strategy, which calls for at least four helicopter carriers, four frigates and several missile patrol boats.
In addition, Indonesia may acquire the AV-8B Harrier II aircraft used by the Italian Navy, which is being gradually replaced by the F-35B. However, this will require permission from the United States, as the country of origin of these aircraft.
Source: Opex360
