ASEAN NETWORK NEWS | JAKARTA — Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) has formally approved the government's acceptance of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, clearing one of the final legal and political hurdles before the vessel is transferred to the Indonesian Navy in what is expected to become the country's most significant naval acquisition to date.
The approval came during a plenary session after lawmakers unanimously endorsed recommendations submitted by Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs. The carrier will be transferred as a grant from the Italian government to Indonesia's Ministry of Defense under a broader framework of bilateral defense cooperation.
Parliament described the transfer as more than a symbolic military donation, calling it a strategic investment in Indonesia's long-term maritime security. Legislators emphasized that the acquisition should be accompanied by technology transfer, operational knowledge, crew training, and support for Indonesia's domestic defense industry to ensure the ship delivers lasting value rather than becoming a costly legacy platform.
The retired flagship of the Italian Navy is expected to significantly enhance Indonesia's ability to conduct maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, amphibious operations, and regional power projection. Defense officials view the platform as an important step toward expanding the Indonesian Navy's blue-water capabilities amid growing strategic competition across the Indo-Pacific.
The proposed transfer carries an estimated value of €54 million, according to documents presented during parliamentary deliberations. Officials said preparations are already underway, including specialized training for Indonesian naval personnel in Italy and infrastructure upgrades to support the vessel once it arrives in Indonesian waters. Current plans target delivery in September 2026, pending completion of the remaining administrative and technical procedures.
The decision also reflects increasingly close defense ties between Jakarta and Rome, which have expanded in recent years through cooperation in naval modernization, military procurement, and defense technology. For Indonesia, the Garibaldi represents not only a major addition to its fleet but also a platform expected to accelerate institutional learning as the country seeks to modernize its armed forces and strengthen maritime deterrence across one of the world's largest archipelagic territories.
While defense analysts note that integrating an aircraft carrier into Indonesia's fleet will require sustained investment in maintenance, logistics, and doctrine, the parliamentary approval signals broad political support for expanding the country's naval capabilities as regional security dynamics continue to evolve.
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