Indonesia may acquire an aircraft carrier from Italy

Indonesian officials said the donation would be more time-efficient and cost-effective than buying a new ship, and could be useful for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

Photo by U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Rob Gaston. Wikimedia

Manuel Mogato | May 3, 2026

ROME — Italy’s parliament supported a government plan to donate a mothballed aircraft carrier to Indonesia, strengthening relations between the two countries.

Indonesian officials said the donation would be more time-efficient and cost-effective than buying a new ship, and could be useful for humanitarian and disaster relief operations. (Also read: US, Indonesia sign defense agreement)

It will be the first carrier for the Southeast Asian navy, although Thailand has a helicopter carrier.

Italian news reports said transferring the carrier Garibaldi to Indonesia would also save Italy millions of Euros in maintenance and dismantling costs.

Italy will finalize the donation by December.

Garibaldi entered service in 1985. It had taken part in various operations in the Mediterranean and African waters, including missions in Lebanon, Libya, and Somalia.

The plan carrier donation is part of Italy’s strategy to expand business with Indonesia, including the sale of submarines and aircraft.

Last year, shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered two combat ships to the Indonesian navy under a $1.5 deal.

However, Italian opposition groups criticized the donation plan.

A regional council in Italy’s southern Puglia region — where the Garibaldi is currently berthed — had urged the government not to approve the donation and instead turn it into a museum at the port of Taranto.