"Indonesia Approves Purchase of Italian Retired Aircraft Carrier", Funding Cap at $450 Million
According to a report by Jane's Defence Weekly on September 19, the Indonesian Ministry of National Development has approved a plan to purchase the retired aircraft carrier "Giuseppe Garibaldi" (hull number C-551) from the Italian Navy through external loans.
Documents cited by Jane's Defence Weekly show that this decision was formally confirmed by the Minister of National Development, Rachmat Pambudi, in a letter to the country's Defense Minister Saffry on August 29. The attached document clearly states that the procurement budget for the aircraft carrier and the required operational equipment is capped at $450 million (approximately 3.2 billion Chinese yuan), with funds to be raised through export credit agencies, bilateral creditors, or private institutions.
In the same document, the Indonesian Ministry of National Development also approved the procurement of new transport helicopters (budget cap of $250 million) and multi-purpose vehicles (budget cap of $300 million) through external credits.
The matter of Indonesia's purchase of the "Giuseppe Garibaldi" had new developments during the Indonesian Defence Exhibition in June 2025.
At that time, Fincantieri participated in the exhibition and promoted the ship. Mauro Mancini, Sales Director of Fincantieri's Naval Business Division, stated: "The 'Giuseppe Garibaldi' is in good condition and has an estimated remaining service life of 15 to 20 years. After modifications to meet the specific needs of the Indonesian Navy, the ship can be handed over."
The concept model of the "Giuseppe Garibaldi" displayed at the Indonesian Defence Exhibition differs from the original version in service with the Italian Navy. The concept model features a twin island design, whereas the original version has a single island. A model of the Turkish Baykar Technologies TB3 drone was also displayed on the deck of the model. The exhibitor stated that Indonesia has expressed interest in purchasing approximately 60 sets of this drone system, including both naval and land versions.
In July 2025, a delegation from Fincantieri visited Jakarta to officially submit a proposal to convert the "Giuseppe Garibaldi" into a drone carrier. The delegation included Marco Gherro, the former captain of the ship, Nicola Terzi, the former engineering director, and Corrado Canepa, the current head of the conversion project. The presentation focused on four areas of work, but details of the modification, implementation timeline, and final cost have not been disclosed.
The "Giuseppe Garibaldi" is the first aircraft carrier to enter service with the Italian Navy, inheriting the name and hull number C-551 of the light cruiser "Giuseppe Garibaldi". The ship is 180.2 meters long, with a flight deck width of 30.4 meters, and a full load displacement of 13,850 tons. It was laid down in 1981, launched in June 1983, and officially commissioned in Naples in 1987. During its service, the "Garibaldi" mainly carried AV-8B Harrier II short take-off and vertical landing fighter jets and Agusta SH-3D helicopters.
With the completion of the "Cavour" aircraft carrier and the "Trieste" amphibious assault ship, as well as the deployment of F-35B fighters, Italy gradually began to consider the future of the "Garibaldi". In January 2021, some Italian media reported that the Italian Navy had once confirmed plans to convert the "Garibaldi" into a "rocket launch ship" to enable Italy to gain independent rocket launch capabilities. The Chieti Ship Research Center under Fincantieri conducted many simulation calculations on this. However, as time passed, this plan has since gone silent.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843886927617027/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.