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Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier begins voyage to Indonesia
The Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi has begun its voyage from Taranto, Italy, to Indonesia. Acquired through a government-to-government grant, the vessel is expected to arrive in Indonesian waters between September 15 and 20, 2026. Upon arrival, the ship will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada and will fly the Indonesian flag, with an official ceremony planned for September 25, 2026.
The voyage will take the ship through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, escorted by Italian Navy frigates. The Indonesian Navy plans to feature the carrier in a naval parade for the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) in October 2026, where it will also serve as a VVIP vessel for high-ranking officials.
In Italy, the transfer has sparked political controversy in the Puglia region. Local officials, including M5S representatives, have criticized the decision to grant the ship to Indonesia, arguing it ignores a unanimous regional motion to retain the vessel in Taranto to serve as a floating naval museum. The Italian Ministry of Defense defended the move as a cost-effective solution, noting that maintaining the ship in Italy would cost approximately 5 million euros annually, whereas the transfer strengthens strategic and industrial ties with Jakarta.
Entities
Giuseppe Garibaldi · Indonesia · Indonesian Navy · Italian Navy · Italy · Prabowo Subianto · Taranto
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The official flag-changing ceremony is planned for September 25, 2026. www.viva.co.id
- [● 3 SOURCES] The aircraft carrier is expected to arrive in Indonesia between September 15 and 20, 2026. www.antaranews.com · en.tempo.co · www.viva.co.id
- [● 3 SOURCES] The ship's route includes the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, escorted by Italian frigates. www.antaranews.com · en.tempo.co · www.viva.co.id
- [● 3 SOURCES] The vessel will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada once it arrives in Indonesia. www.antaranews.com · en.tempo.co · www.viva.co.id
- [● 2 SOURCES] The aircraft carrier is being transferred to Indonesia through a government-to-government grant scheme. en.tempo.co · www.viva.co.id
- [● 2 SOURCES] The ship is scheduled to participate in the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces in October 2026. en.tempo.co · www.utusan.com.my
- [● 2 SOURCES] The transfer of the ship contradicts a unanimous motion by the Puglia Regional Council to keep it in Taranto as a museum. www.antennasud.com · www.blunote.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] Maintaining the vessel in Italy would cost the state approximately 5 million euros annually. it.euronews.com · pt.euronews.com