Indonesia has authorized $450 million in foreign loans to acquire Italy’s decommissioned aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi and fund new helicopters, marking a major step in its naval aviation expansion.
The plan, approved by BAPPENAS, also allows up to $250M for transport helicopters and $300M for utility helicopters. Proposed modifications would adapt the ship for helicopters and UAVs, including Turkey’s Bayraktar TB3, which Indonesia is set to produce domestically.
This acquisition aligns with Indonesia’s Minimum Essential Force roadmap, aiming to establish a mobile aviation hub for anti-submarine warfare, UAV operations, maritime security, and disaster relief. Final contracts, refit details, and air wing plans remain pending.
