Indonesian Navy to Operate Refurbished Giuseppe Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier for Another 20 Years

The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali announced that Indonesia's first aircraft carrier candidate, the Giuseppe Garibaldi, now named KRI Sriwijaya, can still be utilized by the Indonesian Navy for the next 15 to 20 years after undergoing modernization. Ali made these remarks after reviewing the Giuseppe Garibaldi at Pier 107, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, as quoted by Antara on Friday, September 18. "Hopefully, it will be able to be used by the Indonesian Navy for another 15 to 20 years," Ali said. According to KSAL Ali, modernization is a necessity given the former Italian Navy ship's age of 41 years. The life extension will be achieved through engine retrofitting and various technological enhancements on the ship. The retrofit aims to adapt the Giuseppe Garibaldi's capabilities to the specific operational needs of the Indonesian Navy, including the environmental conditions of Indonesia's tropical waters. "So, we adjust it to the interests of our Navy in Indonesia with the situation in the tropical sea, we adjust what needs to be added what is not necessary," KSAL Ali elaborated. KSAL Ali confirmed that the retrofitting process will involve domestic industry, specifically PT PAL, working in conjunction with Fincantieri, the Italian shipyard responsible for the Giuseppe Garibaldi's original construction. The plan to utilize a vessel that is over four decades old has previously faced considerable scrutiny. Ade P. Marboen, Co-Founder of the Jakarta Defence Society, assessed that while the procurement of the Giuseppe Garibaldi could indeed strengthen Indonesia's maritime capabilities, the age of the ship remains a significant concern. Marboen pointed out that even with Fincantieri undertaking improvements to extend the ship's service life by another 15 to 20 years, its quality and the long-term financial commitments required for its upkeep must be carefully evaluated. "With a lifespan of 15-20 years, it means 3-4 presidential terms, so whoever becomes president must hold a firm commitment to provide sufficient operational, maintenance, and maintenance budgets," Marboen commented. He further assessed that the light aircraft carrier has the potential to augment the Indonesian Navy's (TNI AL) ability in projecting power while simultaneously supporting the interoperability of the three branches of the armed forces.