Indonesia welcomes its first aircraft carrier, prompting debate over cost

Indonesia has welcomed its first aircraft carrier, a retired Italian warship transferred to the Southeast Asian archipelago in a move that immediately ignited domestic political friction over mounting fiscal pressures, operational sustainment costs, and genuine military priorities.

The 41-year-old vessel arrived after sailing from Italy through Colombo and the Malacca Strait. Italy agreed to transfer the decommissioned ship to boost bilateral defense engagement, an arrangement that simultaneously spares Rome from costly decommissioning expenses while opening avenues for potential submarine and aircraft deals, according to coverage by Sfgate. The transfer makes Indonesia only the second country in Southeast Asia to operate an aircraft carrier, following Thailand's deployment of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet.

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Upon its formal commissioning into the Indonesian Navy, the ship is slated to be named the KRI Sriwijaya, honoring the historic maritime empire based in Sumatra, as detailed by The Guardian, though initial planning references also noted potential historical designations such as the KRI Gajah Mada.

President Prabowo Subianto’s administration has consistently championed military modernization, encompassing diverse acquisitions and expanding security partnerships. Proponents argue that the Garibaldi serves as a vital mobile command center and support hub capable of carrying up to 18 helicopters or uncrewed aerial systems. Indonesian Navy Chief Adm. Muhammad Ali emphasized that the platform would primarily support non-combat missions, disaster relief logistics, and forest fire mitigation across remote islands, while remaining available for combat operations if necessary.

However, the acquisition has drawn sharp scrutiny from opposition lawmakers, economists, and defense analysts. TB Hasanuddin, a member of Parliament’s Commission I, cautioned that retrofitting expenses alone could climb to 16 trillion rupiah. Muhammad Fauzan Malufti of the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned that the project risks being driven by prestige rather than operational reality, citing Thailand’s underutilized carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, as a cautionary tale plagued by heavy maintenance and fuel expenses.

Military analyst Khairul Fahmi of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies noted that Indonesia's primary defensive imperative remains securing territorial waters against asymmetric threats, arguing that funds might be more prudently directed toward expanding the frigate and submarine fleets. These debates occur against a backdrop of wider force restructuring, which includes navigating complex fighter jet procurements and strengthening multilateral exercises in an increasingly contested maritime environment.

What to Watch Next

• Formal commissioning of the carrier into the Indonesian Navy scheduled for next week.
• Ongoing bilateral administrative negotiations between Jakarta and Rome concerning the scope and execution of vessel retrofitting.
• Legislative debates within Parliament regarding the final modernization budget and long-term sustainment appropriations.