Ali said personnel had been assigned and would soon be sent to Italy, while the navy was preparing infrastructure to support operations of what would become Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier.
“We are also preparing several bases in Indonesia,” Ali told reporters at the Kolinlamil pier in Jakarta, without disclosing the locations or the progress of construction.
The preparations come as the Indonesian Navy awaits further coordination from the Defense Ministry, which is handling negotiations with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri over the transfer of the vessel.
Ali said he hoped Giuseppe Garibaldi could arrive in Indonesia before the Indonesian Military anniversary in October 2026.
The carrier was built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the same company that produced Indonesia's newly acquired warships KRI Brawijaya 320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi 321.
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The 180.2-meter vessel is capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 knots, or about 56 kph, and is equipped to carry fighter aircraft.
Its armaments include Mk.29 octuple launchers for Sea Sparrow or Selenia Aspide anti-aircraft missiles, twin Oto Melara 40L70 DARDO guns, triple 324-mm torpedo tubes and Otomat Mk 2 anti-ship missiles.
Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said in March the carrier would undergo modifications in Indonesia to meet the country’s defense requirements, with work to be carried out by state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL.
“God willing, Garibaldi will arrive in Indonesia in 2026, and we will refurbish it because PT PAL has the capability,” Sjafrie said at the time.
Sjafrie did not specify which parts of the carrier would be modified, but said funding had been prepared for the work.
Earlier, Defense Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait said Indonesia was expected to receive the Giuseppe Garibaldi as a grant from the Italian government.
The vessel, built by Fincantieri, previously served as part of the Italian navy's fleet.
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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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