Indonesian Navy to retrofit Giuseppe Garibaldi for 20-year service

  Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali confirmed that the Giuseppe Garibaldi, set to become Indonesia's first aircraft carrier, remains viable for service with the Indonesian Navy for the next 15 to 20 years.

"Hopefully, it can continue to be used by the Navy for perhaps another 15 to 20 years," Ali said following an inspection of the vessel at Pier 107, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Friday.

Ali explained that extending the service life of the former Italian Navy ship is necessary as the vessel is 41 years old.

Life-extension efforts will involve modernizing and retrofitting the ship's engines and core technologies to align with the Indonesian Navy's operational doctrine and local climate.

"We are tailoring it to our Navy's needs in Indonesia and the tropical maritime environment; we are adjusting what needs to be added and what does not," Ali stated.

The retrofitting process will be jointly undertaken by Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL and the vessel's original manufacturer, Italy's Fincantieri.

Defence analysts have described the acquisition as a strategic boost to Indonesia’s maritime power projection and joint-force interoperability, while noting the long-term financial commitments required.

Ade P. Marboen, co-founder of the Jakarta Defence Society, noted that while the acquisition enhances naval capabilities, maintaining an aging capital ship across three to four future presidential administrations will require sustained defense budgeting for ongoing operations and upkeep.

The carrier was originally scheduled for retirement by the Italian Navy on October 1, 2024.

"With a service life of 15–20 years—spanning three to four presidential terms—whoever holds the presidency must remain firmly committed to providing sufficient funding for operations, maintenance, and upkeep," Marboen noted.