Government Seeks Parliamentary Approval to Transfer Garibaldi Ship to Indonesia, New Orders for the National Industry on the Horizon

01 Maret 2026

ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier (photo: Reuters) 

The aircraft carrier Garibaldi will be transferred free of charge to the Navy of the Republic of Indonesia within the year. The government has presented the proposal developed by the Defense General Staff for the transfer of what was the Navy's flagship for two decades, before the arrival of the Cavour, which has been out of service since 2024 and is currently in Taranto awaiting a future that now seems clear. 

It will continue to sail under the flag of the Southeast Asian nation, whose navy has already completed the purchase of two multipurpose offshore patrol vessels Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura (PPA) in recent years, the last of which left La Spezia a few weeks ago. This proposal is the subject of an interministerial decree between the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees that will soon be submitted for approval to the Defense Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

PPA class Multi Purpose Combat Ship (MPCS) (photo: Dante Flore)

The free transfer

The ship, now obsolete by national standards, is currently valued at €54 million—would allow the Navy to save on maintenance costs, estimated at €5 million in 2025, including electricity, surveillance, security, and integrity maintenance.

The armed forces also want to avoid the need to dispose of a 180-meter-long, 14,000-ton vessel. This operation "is estimated to last no less than 24 months, with total costs estimated at approximately €18.7 million," according to the dossier from the logistics and infrastructure department of the General Staff.

M346 training and light combat aircraft (photo: Alamy)

"These charges could also be added to the administration's costs if the demolition were to be carried out for a fee, if—as has already been observed in previous experiences—no economic operator submitted valid offers for the acquisition of the hull slated for demolition," the document continues. This is an aspect that has already been addressed in the attempt to dispose of the wrecks in the San Vito and Varicella area of ​​the La Spezia naval base to free up space for the Basi Blu project.

New orders are also on the horizon

Indonesia is expected to purchase: 

-six DGK-class submarines manufactured by Drass for €480 million over the next few years, 

-24 Leonardo M346 trainer aircraft for approximately €600 million, and 

-three ATR72 patrol aircraft for €450 million.

DGK-class midget submarine (image: Drass)

Furthermore, the Garibaldi is expected to undergo a series of renovations before being transferred to Asia, involving Fincantieri and its Italian shipyards, although no further details are currently available. The vessel would be "made available without offensive operational capabilities as its weapons systems are not operational."

"The Indonesian government has not yet allocated a budget for the ship's retrofitting," General Rico Ricardo Sirait, head of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense's information office , stated recently.

ATR-72 MPA long range maritime patrol (photo: DepositPhotos)

The work is expected to involve the propulsion system, avionics, safety certification, and integration of sensors and weapons systems "so that it can be used in accordance with the Indonesian Navy's needs." Upon completion of the operation, the Garibaldi is expected to be reborn as a helicopter and drone carrier. 

The Italian government plans to finalize the transfer by December 2026, while Indonesia hopes to have it in Jakarta by October 5, the anniversary of the founding of the armed forces, which will be celebrated with a parade.

(Citta Della Spezia)