Garibaldi Aircraft Carrier Transits Suez Canal to Indonesia, Escorted by Italian Frigates

Indonesia is on the cusp of a significant naval enhancement with the impending arrival of the aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi. The vessel, set to be renamed KRI Gajah Mada upon its integration into the Indonesian fleet, departed from Taranto, Italy, on August 24, 2026. Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali announced that the ship is anticipated to reach Indonesian shores by mid-September 2026.

Admiral Ali requested public support and prayers for the safe passage of the KRI Gajah Mada. He stated that the ship, built by Fincantieri, would officially leave Italian waters on the night of August 24, 2026. While sailing under the Italian flag and its original name, ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, the carrier will hoist the Indonesian flag and adopt its new name, KRI Gajah Mada, only upon entering Indonesian territorial waters.

The journey will see the 180-meter-long vessel navigate through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. During this international transit, the Italian Navy will provide an escort with its frigates, ensuring the carrier's security. This strategic acquisition is poised to bolster Indonesia's maritime defense capabilities, marking a new chapter in its naval history.