Former Italian Aircraft Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi Joins Indonesian Navy

The Indonesian Navy has officially commissioned the country’s first-ever aircraft carrier.

The former Italian aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi arrived at the port of Tanjung Priok in Jakarta on September 18, according to ABC.

As part of the Indonesian Navy, the ship will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada. As a reminder, Indonesia approved the purchase of the aircraft carrier in September 2025.

The ship features a classic layout with a continuous flight deck and a bow ramp, allowing it to operate short-takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft, as well as helicopters.

The history of the KRI Gajah Mada began in 1981, when it was laid down at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone.

The aircraft carrier was launched in 1983, and in 1985 it officially entered service with the Italian Navy, becoming the country’s first full-fledged aircraft carrier since World War II.

For nearly four decades, the Giuseppe Garibaldi served as the flagship of the Italian Navy, participating in NATO operations and missions in Somalia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya.

The aircraft carrier has a total displacement of approximately 14,000 metric tons, with a hull length of 180.2 meters and a beam of 30.4 meters. The ship’s draft is 6.7 meters.

The aircraft carrier’s propulsion system is based on the COGAG configuration and consists of four General Electric/Avio LM2500 gas turbines with a total output of 82,000 horsepower. This allows the ship to reach a maximum speed of 30 knots and has a range of 7,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots.

During its service in Italy, the ship’s air group included up to 16 aircraft, including AV-8B Harrier II short-takeoff and vertical-landing fighters, as well as SH-3D, EH-101, and AB-212 anti-submarine and search-and-rescue helicopters.

The flight deck is equipped with a bow ramp with a 6.5° angle of ascent to facilitate aircraft takeoff.

The ship’s armament includes anti-aircraft missile systems, small-caliber artillery mounts, and torpedo tubes for anti-submarine defense. In addition, the ship is equipped with a radar system for detecting air and surface targets, as well as electronic warfare capabilities.