Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier to be Featured at 81st TNI Anniversary Celebration

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, recently acquired by Indonesia, will be showcased as part of the 81st Anniversary celebrations of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

The vessel, donated by the Italian Government, is scheduled to participate in the sailing pass, a naval parade that will be a highlight of the 81st TNI anniversary events.

"During the naval parade, the aircraft carrier currently named Garibaldi, a donation from the Italian government received just yesterday, will be featured. It will also be displayed during the sailing pass," said TNI Head of Public Information Center Major General Muhammad Nas, who was met at Silang Monas Field, Jakarta, Saturday (19/9/2026).

Besides the Garibaldi, the TNI is preparing several other main weapon systems to be showcased during the anniversary celebrations.

Among them is the Rafale fighter jet, which will also be exhibited as part of the activities.

"Including aircraft, there will be Rafales and others on display," said Nas.

Nas explained that the naval parade or sailing pass is scheduled for October 4, 2026, one day prior to the main 81st TNI anniversary ceremony.

The main anniversary ceremony itself will take place on October 5, 2026, at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Jakarta.

ANTARA FOTO/M RISYAL HIDAYAT The aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi-551 (left) sails alongside KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321 (right) in the waters of Bangka, Bangka Belitung, Thursday (17/9/2026). KRI Brawijaya-320, KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, two AS565 Panther helicopters, and Cassa NC212 and CN-235 TNI AL aircraft also participated in escorting and welcoming the Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi-551, donated to the Indonesian Navy, as it entered the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lane (ALKI) I. ANTARA FOTO/M Risyal Hidayat/nym.

President Prabowo Subianto is slated to serve as the ceremony's inspector.

During the peak commemoration, the TNI will present parades and a procession involving tens of thousands of personnel and hundreds of main weapon systems (alutsista).

"The deployment of personnel involved in the parade and procession alone will exceed 51,000, with more than 900 weapon systems on display," Nas said.

In addition to the weapon systems, the parade will include support elements such as horses and K-9 dogs.

Nas added that these various weapon systems will be showcased as a demonstration of TNI capabilities and strength in safeguarding national defense.

"All of this is carried out as a show of force, demonstrating the TNI's capabilities, its strength, and our professionalism in defending the nation," said Nas.

Previously reported, the aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi 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), and was welcomed by several Indonesian defense officials. Garibaldi will also be renamed after formally becoming part of the Indonesian Navy.

Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali stated that the ship will be renamed KRI Sriwijaya.

The renaming is planned to take place on September 24, 2026, at Pier 107, Tanjung Priok.

On the same date, the Garibaldi will be officially handed over to the Indonesian Navy and undergo reflagging, changing its flag.

The Italian flag that the carrier has been flying will be replaced by the Indonesian flag.