JAKARTA: Indonesia commissioned its first aircraft carrier, KRI Sriwijaya-100, on Thursday (Sept 24), marking a significant advance in its naval capability after acquiring the former Italian Navy vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Gen Agus Subiyanto officiated at the commissioning ceremony at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta, where the Italian naval ensign was lowered, Indonesia's red-and-white flag raised and the vessel formally renamed KRI Sriwijaya-100.
"The presence of KRI Sriwijaya in the Indonesian Navy represents a concrete manifestation of the modernisation of the TNI's defence equipment, with the capability to serve as a reliable maritime operations command centre, as well as a means of defence diplomacy and humanitarian assistance.
"This strengthens the TNI's role nationally as well as at the regional and global levels,” he said in his remarks.
After more than four decades under the Italian flag, the vessel is now beginning a new chapter with the Indonesian Navy.
The former Giuseppe Garibaldi, which was retired from Italian Navy service in 2024, arrived at Tanjung Priok on Sept 18 after sailing from Italy. Its new name draws from the historic Sriwijaya maritime kingdom centred around present-day South Sumatra.
Reflecting on the vessel's transition, Italian Navy Chief Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto described the handover as the beginning of a new chapter and a symbol of growing cooperation between the two navies.
"Italian memories will remain within her steel, but from today Indonesian sailors will give her a new life, a new mission and a new future,” he said.
The 180.2-metre, 13,850-tonne vessel can carry an air wing of about 18 to 20 aircraft, depending on configuration, and was designed to operate helicopters as well as short take-off and vertical landing aircraft, including the AV-8B Plus Harrier II during its Italian service. - Bernama
