Awaiting the New Service of Aircraft Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi in Indonesia...

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi has finally arrived in Indonesia after a long journey from Italy.

The ship, with hull number 551, docked at Pier 107 Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Friday (18/9/2026), where it was welcomed by several Indonesian defense officials.

The arrival of Garibaldi marks part of the process of transferring the vessel from the Italian Navy to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).

However, before it can be fully deployed to meet Indonesia's operational needs, Garibaldi will undergo several modifications.

The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL), Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali, said the ship requires a retrofit or modernization to align certain equipment with TNI AL’s requirements.

The retrofit will be carried out by PT Penataran Angkatan Laut (PAL) in collaboration with several Italian companies.

"The retrofit will be a cooperation between PT PAL and Fincantieri, with possibly some involvement from Leonardo and other Italian firms for the equipment," Ali said when met at Pier 107 Tanjung Priok on Friday.

According to Ali, PT PAL’s president director, Kaharuddin Djenod, has also inspected Garibaldi’s condition and interior parts after the vessel’s arrival in Jakarta.

The inspection aimed to identify sections of the ship that can be repaired or refurbished.

"The PT PAL director has also seen what can be refurbished for this ship," Ali added.

Sea-worthy but requires adaptation

Ali explained that overall, Garibaldi is still in good condition and can sail without immediately undergoing modernization by PT PAL.

Nonetheless, the ship is a platform previously operated by the Italian Navy.

Therefore, its operational requirements need to be adjusted to fit the characteristics and needs of the Indonesian Navy.

"We just have to tailor it to our needs. The Italian Navy’s needs may be different from ours," Ali said.

The adjustments will also take into account Indonesia’s tropical maritime environment.