RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s defense establishment is preparing for a significant milestone: the arrival of its first aircraft carrier, the Giuseppe Garibaldi, granted as a donation from the Italian government.

Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced that the vessel will undergo modifications at PT Penataran Angkatan Laut (PAL), Indonesia’s state-owned shipyard, to ensure it meets the country’s operational requirements.

“God willing, Garibaldi will arrive in Indonesia in 2026. We will carry out adjustments because our industry, PT PAL, is capable of handling the retrofit,” Minister Sjafrie said during a press briefing at the Ministry of Defense on Thursday, March 12, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He did not specify which parts of the ship would be modified but confirmed that funding has been allocated for the project. “For details on the budget, please ask the Director General of Defense Planning. But I have decided -- if we talk about efficiency and effectiveness, I am ready,” he added.

The Giuseppe Garibaldi, built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, previously served in the Italian Navy. Head of Public Relations and Defense Information at the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, emphasized that while the vessel is being provided as a grant, Indonesia will still bear costs for retrofitting.

“The Garibaldi is a donation from Italy. However, the Indonesian government has prepared funds for adjustments to align with the Navy’s operational needs,” Rico explained in a statement on Friday, February 13.

Negotiations and administrative processes between Jakarta and Rome are still underway. Once finalized, the Indonesian Navy will begin adapting the ship’s technology and systems to suit its defense strategy. ***