ROME / JAKARTA — April 29, 2026 : The Italian Parliament has approved the free transfer of the decommissioned aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551) to Indonesia, completing the final legal step required for the vessel’s handover after a multi-stage legislative and administrative process.
Legislative Clearance and Transfer Structure
The approval, granted on April 28, 2026, formalizes a “free cession” arrangement under Italian military law, meaning the Italian state will receive no financial compensation. The measure follows a ministerial decree transmitted on February 19, 2026, and subsequently assigned on February 24 to parliamentary committees on foreign affairs and defence.
The process advanced through several stages: the Italian Senate approved the decree on March 24, the Budget Committee issued a favourable opinion on April 14, and final parliamentary clearance was granted on April 28. The transfer is legally framed under provisions that allow the donation of obsolete, non-offensive military equipment.
No competing international requests were recorded during the evaluation phase. The decision concludes a disposal process that included cost analysis, political review, and alignment with bilateral defence cooperation objectives.
Administrative processing, technical preparation, and delivery are scheduled for completion by December 2026. Indonesian officials, including Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali, have indicated a target to receive the vessel before October 5, 2026, coinciding with the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
Cost Considerations and Strategic Context
The transfer allows Italy to eliminate approximately €5 million in annual maintenance and security costs associated with the inactive vessel, as well as avoid an estimated €19 million required for dismantling.
For Indonesia, the acquisition forms part of a broader defence cooperation framework with Italy, which has included the transfer of other naval units and discussions involving systems such as DGK-class midget submarines, Leonardo M-346 trainer aircraft, and ATR 72 maritime patrol platforms.
Bilateral engagement on the transfer dates back to 2021, when Indonesia first expressed interest in acquiring decommissioned Italian naval assets.
Vessel Status and Configuration at Transfer
At the time of transfer, the Giuseppe Garibaldi will be fully stripped of combat systems. All original armaments—including Aspide surface-to-air missiles, Teseo Mk2 (Otomat) anti-ship missiles, 324 mm torpedo tubes, and 40 mm naval guns—are non-functional and will not be restored.
Sensor and fire-control systems previously used for combat operations are also inactive. The ship retains only propulsion systems, navigation equipment, safety systems, flight deck infrastructure, and command facilities necessary for transit and non-combat roles.
This configuration places the vessel within Italy’s legal classification for non-offensive transfers, eliminating any immediate combat capability and limiting its operational use until further modification.
Technical Characteristics
The Giuseppe Garibaldi was commissioned in 1985 as Italy’s first post-war aircraft carrier and served for nearly four decades before being placed in reserve on December 31, 2024.
Key specifications include a full-load displacement of 14,150 tons, a length of 180.2 metres, and a beam of 30.4 metres. The propulsion system consists of four GE-Avio LM2500 gas turbines generating 60,400 kW, driving two shafts and enabling a maximum speed of 30 knots.
The vessel has an operational range of approximately 7,000 nautical miles at cruising speed. Electrical power is provided by six diesel generators and one emergency generator, ensuring redundancy for onboard systems. The crew complement is approximately 570 personnel, including aviation support elements.
Obsolescence and Withdrawal from Italian Service
The Italian Navy’s decision to retire the vessel was driven by system obsolescence, structural degradation, and reduced interoperability with modern platforms.
Despite modernization efforts in 2003 and 2013, the ship’s command-and-control systems became incompatible with Italy’s current digital and network-centric operational standards. Integration with modern aircraft, including advanced short take-off and vertical landing platforms, was not feasible without significant structural modifications.
Long-term structural fatigue increased maintenance requirements and reduced operational availability. The introduction of newer assets, particularly the landing helicopter dock Trieste (L9890), further diminished the vessel’s operational relevance in multi-domain missions involving air, sea, and information domains.
Indonesia’s Modernisation and Intended Role
Indonesia plans to convert the vessel into a hybrid helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrier, with an estimated budget ceiling of up to $450 million for retrofitting and system integration. Local shipyards and defence firms are expected to participate in the modernization process.
Once adapted, the ship is intended to function as a mobile maritime command platform supporting distributed operations across Indonesia’s archipelago. Planned roles include persistent maritime surveillance, anti-illegal fishing operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance missions.
The acquisition will position Indonesia as the second country in Southeast Asia to operate an aircraft carrier-type platform, following Thailand, and represents the country’s first such capability.
Timeline and Final Steps
With parliamentary approval completed, the program now enters its final phase, including administrative processing, technical preparation, and transfer logistics. Delivery remains scheduled for completion by December 2026, subject to preparatory work and coordination between Italian and Indonesian authorities.
The April 28 decision concludes a multi-year process combining legal authorization, defence cooperation planning, and asset disposal considerations, transitioning the Giuseppe Garibaldi from a decommissioned Italian naval unit into a future operational platform for Indonesia.
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