9s Maritime Civilization Revival]]>

ON September 18, 2026, Giuseppe Garibaldi arrived at Tanjung Priok. This 180-meter-long warship, with a full load displacement of around 13,850 tons, embarks on a new chapter as Indonesia's first aircraft carrier.

It came after over four decades of service with the Italian Navy and was retired in 2024. The grant's value is approximately 54.02 million euros.

The government then prepared retrofit and modernization efforts estimated to cost between Rp 7.2 trillion and Rp 16.8 trillion, although the final figure will depend on technical inspection results and configuration decisions. (jdih.dpr.go.id)

These figures bring us to a larger issue. Indonesia isn’t merely acquiring a ship; it's making a decision to enter a military and technological capability previously unattained.

The consequences extend beyond retrofit costs. There are expenses for crew, fuel, training, spare parts, maintenance, docking, aviation systems, base infrastructure, periodic modernization, and operational readiness.

The government has yet to establish an annual operating budget, as it largely depends on the usage patterns and final configuration of the ship.

Therefore, the measure of success for Garibaldi should not be limited to getting it operational again.

More significantly, it is Indonesia’s ability to turn this investment into knowledge, technology, industry, and lasting maritime strength—far beyond the ship’s lifespan.

An Old Ship with a New Mission

Garibaldi is not a supercarrier. It was designed as a light aircraft carrier with historical operations of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

Indonesia does not intend to mimic the aircraft carriers of major powers that deploy dozens of fighter jets.

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that Garibaldi will be rejuvenated as a helicopter and drone carrier, with plans to carry around 10 medium-class helicopters.

These helicopters are directed, among other roles, to support forest and land fire mitigation operations. (Antaranews.com)

This choice has strategic logic. Indonesia is an archipelagic nation with vast maritime territory, thousands of islands, busy international trade routes, and is one of the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters.

In such conditions, the ability to transfer helicopters, drones, personnel, medical equipment, and logistics from one region to another via a mobile base is invaluable.

Thus, Garibaldi can serve as a multipurpose platform. In peacetime, it can support humanitarian operations, search and rescue, disaster management, and territorial surveillance.

In contingency situations, it can act as a mobile command center and floating airbase.

During defense operations, it can serve as a node in maritime surveillance and security networks.

This concept becomes even more relevant when combined with drone technology developments.

The most strategic aspect of Garibaldi’s new design lies in drones. Defense worldwide is evolving from purely manned platforms toward systems increasingly integrated with unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, and sensor networks.

Indonesia doesn’t have to go through all the historical stages of countries with carriers before it.

We can chart a technological path tailored to our needs. Garibaldi can become a testbed for Indonesian naval UAV development, including surveillance, mapping, communication, search and rescue, and maritime domain awareness.

The implications are extensive. Defense drones developed can also be used to monitor illegal fishing.

Sensor technology can be applied in disaster mapping. Communication systems can support emergency operations when land infrastructure is cut off. Autonomous system technology can evolve into civilian products.

This is where defense meets industrialization. Every military investment that generates dual-use technology offers a multiplier effect beyond the defense sector.

The Real Cost Is More Than Rp 7.2 Trillion

Public debates on Garibaldi’s cost should not stop at retrofit expenses.

The Rp 7.2 trillion to Rp 16.8 trillion range should be the starting point for applying the life-cycle cost principle.

The government needs to calculate all costs from the ship's receipt to its eventual retirement.