Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — A number of foreign media outlets have highlighted the arrival of Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier from Italy, the Giuseppe Garibaldi. Reports confirm that the vessel arrived at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, on Friday morning (9/18/2026).
China’s state news agency, Xinhua, highlighted how a festive welcoming ceremony began at around 07:53 local time. Indonesia even flew five aircraft from the Indonesian Navy Aviation Center over the Tanjung Priok area.
“The Italian government handed over the decommissioned aircraft carrier as a grant to Indonesia,” Xinhua wrote in an article titled “Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier arrives in Jakarta.”
“The Indonesian Navy has named the aircraft carrier KRI Sriwijaya,” the Xinhua report added.
Chinese media also featured statements from Indonesian Navy spokesperson Tunggul. The vessel will primarily focus on military operations other than war, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, while continuing to carry out routine maritime patrols and maritime diplomacy in surrounding strategic waters.
United States (US) media outlet Associated Press (AP) also spotlighted the aircraft carrier. In an article titled “Indonesia welcomes its first aircraft carrier, prompting debate over cost and military ambitions,” it reported that the vessel is 41 years old, making Indonesia the second Southeast Asian nation to own an aircraft carrier after Thailand in 1997.
“Defense sector development has become one of the top priorities of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. He is pushing for the expansion of military strength through the procurement of submarines, frigates, fighter jets, and missiles, while continuously pursuing enhanced defense cooperation with various countries,” the article noted.
AP also focused attention on the funding of the Garibaldi. It stated that the acquisition of the ship has sparked fierce debate among defense analysts, economists, and opposition politicians.
“They question whether Indonesia truly needs an aircraft carrier and whether the government should spend millions of dollars to refurbish and operate the aging warship amid mounting domestic fiscal pressures,” AP explained.
“Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance has approved funding of 450 million US dollars for the aircraft carrier program in 2025. However, several lawmakers have warned that the total cost could be much higher. TB Hasanuddin, a member of House Commission I, stated that the retrofitting costs for the aircraft carrier alone could reach 16 trillion rupiah (approximately 900 million US dollars),” the report concluded.
