Image Credentials: Image Title: Indonesia Eyes Acquisition of Italian Aircraft Carrier Amid Expanding Naval Ambitions Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: June 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
Giuseppe Garibaldi and Bayraktar TB3 drones highlight Jakarta’s growing defense modernization efforts
Jakarta — June 20, 2025 — Indonesia has set regional and strategic eyes on an ambitious leap forward in maritime defense, signaling interest in acquiring the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier from Italy. The development, first hinted at during the Indodefence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, underscores the Southeast Asian nation’s expanding naval aspirations and its drive to build power projection capability in the Indo-Pacific.
At the center of attention was a detailed scale model display at the booth of REPUBLIKORP, a major Indonesian defense firm working in collaboration with PT Palindo Marine. The display featured a notional carrier labeled “Giuseppe Garibaldi” — a nod to the former flagship of the Italian Navy. While the design bore little resemblance to the actual light aircraft carrier, it nonetheless symbolized the strategic intent of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) to explore carrier-based capabilities.
At the Indodefence exhibition, Indonesian company REPUBLIKORP showcased an aircraft carrier model labeled “Giuseppe Garibaldi”. It featured Bayraktar TB3 drones and fighter jets on its deck 🇮🇩🇮🇹🇹🇷@TayfunOzberk talked to @Fincantieri and @BaykarTech 👇https://t.co/GuK9ogiGhy
— Naval News (@navalnewscom) June 21, 2025
From Model to Potential Procurement
During the exhibition, officials from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri confirmed Jakarta’s interest. Speaking to Naval News, Mauro Mansini, Director of Sales for Fincantieri’s Naval Business Unit, revealed that state-level talks are underway between Italy and Indonesia regarding a possible transfer of the vessel.
“The Giuseppe Garibaldi is in good condition and has approximately 15 to 20 years of remaining operational life,” Mansini said. “If an agreement is reached, the vessel can be transferred following a refit process tailored to the Indonesian Navy’s specific requirements.”
He highlighted the vessel’s flexibility, capable of deploying fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, drones, and amphibious assets, and noted its proven role in humanitarian operations, including its deployment during the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Carrier Drones on Display: Bayraktar TB3 Takes the Deck
Accompanying the carrier model were scale models of Bayraktar TB3 drones from Turkey’s Baykar Technologies, indicating a clear direction toward integrated unmanned systems on maritime platforms. The TB3 — a carrier-capable UCAV undergoing trials aboard Turkey’s TCG Anadolu — was showcased with a variety of payloads, emphasizing its versatility for both ISR and strike missions.
A full-scale mock-up of the TB3 was exhibited alongside its land-based variant, which company officials disclosed for the first time. The land-based version reportedly has a higher maximum take-off weight, increased fuel capacity, and extended endurance compared to the shipborne model.
Baykar representatives confirmed that Indonesia has signed a preliminary agreement for the acquisition of 60 TB3 drones, including both configurations. A final contract is currently under negotiation.
“Indonesia’s growing focus on multi-domain capabilities makes the TB3 an ideal match for both carrier-based and land operations,” a Baykar official told Naval News.
Implications for Regional Naval Balance
While the current discussions around Giuseppe Garibaldi do not yet confirm a formal procurement, the move reflects Jakarta’s intent to transform TNI AL into a blue-water navy, capable of extended operations beyond territorial waters. The addition of a light aircraft carrier, even a second-hand vessel, would significantly enhance Indonesia’s regional posture amid rising maritime tensions in the South China Sea and increasing naval competition in Southeast Asia.
Defense analysts point out that integrating an aircraft carrier also brings logistical and doctrinal challenges, especially in pilot training, carrier operations, and interoperability with new unmanned systems like the TB3.
Nevertheless, the combination of Italian naval architecture and Turkish drone technology suggests that Indonesia is positioning itself at the intersection of traditional naval power and next-generation warfare systems.
What Comes Next
With both Italian and Turkish defense players showing flexibility and cooperation, Indonesia could emerge as a significant new carrier-operating power in the region, albeit on a lighter scale compared to traditional navies like China or the United States.
Whether this aspiration materializes will depend not only on funding and training but also on Jakarta’s ability to manage a high-tech procurement ecosystem that spans multiple nations and operational domains.
For now, the model of Giuseppe Garibaldi may still be a mock-up, but the ambitions it represents are all too real.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.