September 19, 2026 | 06:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier will undergo retrofit before becoming operational in Indonesia. Head of the Ministry of Defense's Information Bureau, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, said the ministry has calculated the estimated cost to refurbish the ship, which was a gift from the Italian government.
Depending on the scope of work required for the Garibaldi ship, Rico said the estimated cost would reach around Rp7.5 trillion.
Meanwhile, the retrofit will include modifications to support facilities, improvements to medical service capabilities, as well as expenses for adjusting the air conditioning systems. Air condition system on Garibaldi require adjustments since it will now operate in Indonesia, a tropical country.
The vessel will be renamed as KRI Sriwijaya.
"These modification measures are focused on ensuring that the ship has optimal technical readiness, especially in supporting Military Operations Other Than War," said the one-star general.
He mentioned that the Garibaldi ship will be used to aid in natural disaster relief, humanitarian crises, and provide logistical support. "It will also be used as a floating airbase for forest and land fire control," Rico stated.
Two Companies to Lead Garibaldi Repair
The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Muhammad Ali, said that two shipyards from different countries will repair and improve the aircraft carrier's condition.
"We will collaborate between PT Penataran Angkatan Laut and Fincantieri," said Ali after inspecting the condition of the Garibaldi vessel in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Fincantieri is an Italian shipyard company. He said that it is possible for the retrofitting of the aircraft carrier, which received a grant from the Italian government, to involve other companies as well.
Ali mentioned one Italian defense industry company, Leonardo. He claimed that the company would provide equipment for the Garibaldi vessel.
Ali said retrofitting the Garibaldi is necessary to adapt the ship to the needs of the Indonesian Navy. "The needs of the Italian Navy and Indonesia are different. So, it will be adjusted to the tropical sea conditions, what needs to be added and what doesn't," he said.
Ali assured that the vessel still functions well. "Hopefully, it will be able to remain in service with the Indonesian Navy for another 15 to 20 years," said Ali.
Non-War Military Use Prioritized
The Garibaldi carrier, according to Ali, will be prioritized for use in Military Operations Other Than War, with particular distinction for disaster handling, considering how frequently disasters strike the country. "We really need a ship or platform that can carry many helicopters," he said.
According to Ali, the Garibaldi, which is 180.2 meters long and 33.4 meters wide, can accommodate at least 14 helicopters. With these specifications, he said, logistics for forest fire disaster response can be distributed more quickly to remote areas.
But Ali did not shut down the possibility of deploying the Garibaldi aircraft carrier for war purposes. After all, Ali claimed that a carrier does not have to be a destroyer. "Frigates can also escort, as long as they have anti-air attack, anti-submarine, anti-surface vessel, and anti-electronic warfare capabilities," Ali said.
Read: Indonesian Navy Plans to Retrofit Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier
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