# Italy-Indonesia aircraft carrier transfer

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-indonesia-aircraft-carrier-transfer
> Updated: 2026-08-26T23:30:02.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 2.

The Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi has departed Taranto, Italy, on a voyage to Indonesia via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Acquired through a government-to-government grant, the vessel is scheduled 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. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense confirmed the vessel will first dock in Jakarta for a formal handover ceremony involving the signing of grant documents before proceeding to its permanent base at Lanal Teluk Ratai in Lampung. Indonesian officials are currently finalizing infrastructure at the Lampung naval base to ensure it is ready to receive the carrier by the end of September.

The acquisition is intended to bolster Indonesia’s maritime defense capabilities and reinvigorate its domestic defense industry. Lawmakers and defense officials have emphasized the necessity of securing technology transfers during the handover to ensure Indonesian engineers and sailors can effectively operate and maintain the vessel. The ship’s transit currently includes planned stops in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka.

In Italy, the transfer has faced political criticism in the Puglia region. Local officials argued the ship should have remained in Taranto to serve as a floating naval museum. However, the Italian Ministry of Defense defended the transfer as a cost-effective measure that strengthens strategic and industrial ties with Jakarta.

## Claims

- The KRI Gajah Mada is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia in mid-September 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The former Giuseppe Garibaldi will first dock in Jakarta for the grant handover signing. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Infrastructure finishing for the Lampung base is expected to be complete by the ship's arrival. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Lampung base is expected to be fully functional by the end of September 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The aircraft carrier is 180 meters long and was produced by Fincantieri. (single source)
- The ship is scheduled to transit through Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Colombo, Sri Lanka. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Indonesia prepares for arrival of first aircraft carrier KRI Gajah Mada

Indonesia expects its first aircraft carrier, to be renamed KRI Gajah Mada, to arrive in mid-September 2026. The vessel will undergo a handover in Jakarta before moving to a new base in Lampung.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kri-gajah-mada-aircraft-carrier-to-arrive-in-indonesia-this-september

### 2026-08-24: Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier begins voyage to Indonesia

The Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi has departed for Indonesia. Expected to arrive in mid-September 2026, it will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada and serve as Indonesia's first aircraft carrier.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-transfers-giuseppe-garibaldi-aircraft-carrier-to-indonesia

---
Cite as: Italy-Indonesia aircraft carrier transfer. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-indonesia-aircraft-carrier-transfer