JAKARTA, — The former Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C551) has entered Indonesian waters and is scheduled to arrive at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on September 18, according to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). The vessel will enter Indonesian service as KRI Sriwijaya, making it the first aircraft carrier in the Indonesian Navy’s fleet.
The carrier departed Taranto, Italy, on August 24 with a mixed Italian and Indonesian crew under Italian Navy Captain Marco Guerriero. During the voyage, it transited the Suez Canal and made port calls at Safaga, Egypt, and Colombo, Sri Lanka. Italian Navy warships escorted the carrier during part of its passage through the Red Sea.
Entry Through the Malacca Strait
Unlike the two Multipurpose Combat Ship (PPA) frigates Indonesia also acquired from Italy, the carrier entered Indonesian waters through the Malacca Strait and Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lane I (ALKI I) near Bangka, rather than through the Sunda Strait.
After entering Indonesian waters, the ship was met by Indonesian Navy vessels KRI Brawijaya (320) and KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321), which escorted it toward Jakarta. Indonesian naval aviation assets, including AS565 Panther helicopters, also took part in the welcoming and escort operation. A CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft was also involved.
The carrier continued to fly the Italian flag during its transit into Indonesian waters.
Arrival in Jakarta
KRI Sriwijaya is scheduled to reach Tanjung Priok Port on September 18. Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin is expected to welcome the ship, along with senior Indonesian military and government officials.
The vessel is also planned to take part in the Indonesian National Armed Forces anniversary celebrations on October 5.
New Name: KRI Sriwijaya
The Indonesian Navy has confirmed that the former Giuseppe Garibaldi will be commissioned as KRI Sriwijaya. The ship had earlier been associated with the proposed name KRI Gajah Mada, but the Navy ultimately selected Sriwijaya.
The name refers to the historical Sriwijaya maritime kingdom, which was based in Sumatra and exercised influence over regional trade routes and parts of maritime Southeast Asia.
Planned Role
According to the Indonesian Navy, KRI Sriwijaya will primarily support Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), with a particular focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) missions.
The Indonesian military has also begun preparing personnel and aircrews for operations from the carrier. The Navy has prepared 310 personnel to serve aboard KRI Sriwijaya and is conducting training to prepare them for their duties.
Ahead of the carrier's arrival, Indonesian military units conducted joint helicopter training involving the Navy's AS565 Panther, the Air Force's NAS332 Super Puma, and the Army's Bell 412. The crews practiced take-offs and landings using a life-size mock-up of the Garibaldi's flight deck and also conducted shipboard training aboard the landing platform dock KRI Makassar (590).
The training is intended to prepare helicopter crews from the three Indonesian military services for future operations from KRI Sriwijaya.
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