Indonesia-bound carrier Garibaldi to make stop in Sri Lanka: Navy

Photo caption: Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali speaks to reporters at the Navy Staff and Command School in South Jakarta on Wednesday (Sept. 9, 2026). (ANTARA/Walda Marison)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi will dock in Sri Lanka on its voyage from Italy to Jakarta for a new commission under the Indonesian military, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali said.

"The Garibaldi is set to dock in Colombo and will continue its cruise to Jakarta," he told the press at the Navy Staff and Command School in South Jakarta on Wednesday.

Ali pointed out that the aviation ship, dubbed Indonesia's first aircraft carrier, is approaching the capital of Sri Lanka after sailing through the Arabian Sea from its previous base in Italy.

He noted that the vessel would remain escorted by two battleships deployed by the Italian Navy in Sri Lanka, adding that the Indonesian Navy also plans to welcome the carrier with an escort once it enters Indonesian waters.

Ali earlier said that Indonesia expected to welcome its first aircraft carrier in September following its voyage from its birthplace, Italy.

He made the statement in Jakarta on Aug. 24, the day the through-deck ship departed Italy for Indonesia to operate as KRI Gajah Mada. A base is being built in Lampung Province.

“Its name is still ITS Garibaldi for the time being, bearing the Italian flag. However, the vessel will switch to Indonesia’s red-white flag and be renamed KRI Gajah Mada once it has arrived here,” Ali noted.

The admiral added that the former Italian Navy vessel would cruise for more than 20 days to reach Indonesia through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea in the company of Italian warships.

He further disclosed that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the aircraft carrier's inauguration on Sept. 25, which will be marked by the hoisting of the Indonesian flag.

The Navy Information Service later stated that Giuseppe Garibaldi is expected to arrive in Indonesia on Sept. 17 and will first serve as a carrier for helicopters and drones carrying water to support ongoing wildfire operations.

President Prabowo first highlighted the carrier's wildfire deployment during a disaster mitigation meeting on Sept. 7.