Indonesia adds first aircraft carrier to its navy

JAKARTA, Sept. 19 (YPA) –  Indonesia took delivery of the 41-year-old former Italian aircraft carrier “Giuseppe Garibaldi” in a military ceremony at Tanjung Priok port north of Jakarta, becoming the second Southeast Asian country to possess an aircraft carrier.

 

Italy decommissioned the ship in 2024 and transferred it to Indonesia last March as part of a broader defense cooperation that includes submarines and aircraft.

 

Indonesian Navy Commander Admiral Muhammad Ali said its use will be primarily in non-combat operations and responding to humanitarian disasters in the archipelago of thousands of islands, with the possibility of combat use when needed. It is capable of carrying 14 helicopters and short takeoff aircraft and can serve for another 15 to 20