Indonesia welcomes former Italian warship as its first aircraft carrier

Indonesia welcomed the arrival of its first aircraft carrier on Friday, a 41-year-old former Italian Navy vessel, its latest big arms procurement as it seeks to modernise its ageing military assets.

The former Italian carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi docked at a port in Jakarta after sailing from Italy via Colombo and the Malacca strait, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Muhammad Ali told reporters.

The carrier will be renamed the KRI Sriwijaya next week and will focus on non-military operations including disaster relief, he said.

"There are many disasters in this country. So we really need a vessel or platform that could carry many helicopters, because the helicopters can drop logistics quickly to remote areas," Ali said.

"Its condition is still very good and hopefully it can be used by the Indonesian Navy for the next 15 to 20 years."

The 180-metre (590-foot) vessel can carry up to 18 helicopters and accommodate up to 830 personnel, said navy spokesman Tunggul, who like many Indonesians uses one name.

The vessel was commissioned into the Italian navy in 1985.

Analysts questioned the acquisition of the carrier, saying the vessel will likely need maintenance and noting Indonesia has more pressing concerns such as foreign debts.

Muhammad Fauzan Malufti, a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, suggested it might not be effective for use in conflicts.

"If its primary function is for disaster relief, its armament might be minimal," he said, adding that it could further limit the carrier's combat capability.

The Indonesian government carried out a "thorough assessment" before proceeding with the acquisition, Tunggul told AFP.

President Prabowo Subianto, a former general elected in 2024, has been pushing to modernise Indonesia's ageing military assets and build closer defence cooperation with other countries.

Jakarta signed an $8.1 billion deal in 2022 under Probowo, then the defence minister, to purchase 42 French-made Rafale fighters. Six jets had been delivered by May.

Indonesia ordered two Scorpene-class submarines from Frence defence firm Naval Group in 2024, with its construction started in August, the company said in a statement.

India confirmed in July, as Prabowo hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jakarta, that it will supply Indonesia with long-range missiles.

Indonesia also signed a security treaty with Australia in February, paving the way for closer military cooperation that includes Canberra's support for the development of training facilities intended for joint drills.