Full Breakdown
Italy Approves Transfer of Aircraft Carrier Garibaldi to Indonesia
4/29/2026, 1:19:41 AM
Parliamentary Approval of the Garibaldi Transfer
On 28 April 2026 Italy’s lower house voted to endorse a government proposal to donate the de-commissioned aircraft carrier *Garibaldi* to the Republic of Indonesia. The decision aligns with a broader policy to deepen defence cooperation with Jakarta and to avoid the €19 million cost of dismantling the vessel.
Historical Background of the Garibaldi
The *Garibaldi* entered service in 1985 and participated in Mediterranean operations and missions off Africa, including deployments to Lebanon, Libya and Somalia. After two decades of service, the ship was placed in reserve in 2024 due to “structural wear and the obsolescence of onboard systems,” according to an official assessment.
Key Actors
- Giorgia Meloni – Prime Minister of Italy, overseeing the donation plan.
- Alessandro Marrone – Defence expert at the Istituto Affari Internazionali, commentator on the deal.
- Indonesian defence officials – Representatives of Jakarta’s Ministry of Defence who evaluated the offer.
- Five Star Movement and Democratic Party – Opposition parties whose lower-house defence-committee members voted against the transfer.
- Puglia regional council – Local authority in southern Italy that advocated converting the carrier into a museum in Taranto.
Quantitative Details
- Estimated value of the carrier: €54 million (? $63 million).
- Projected maintenance savings for Italy in 2025: €5 million.
- Dismantling cost avoided: €19 million.
- Ongoing Italy-Indonesia defence contracts: submarine and aircraft sales worth about €1.5 billion.
- Recent Fincantieri deal: two combat ships delivered to Indonesia for US $1.2 billion.
- Target completion of the donation: December 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
An Italian government document cited “structural wear and the obsolescence of onboard systems” as reasons the carrier “no longer meets current capability and operational requirements.” Defence expert Alessandro Marrone described the transfer as “a reasonable operation” that yields “military and industrial cooperation” benefits. Indonesian defence officials indicated that receiving the carrier would be more time-efficient and cost-effective than procuring a new vessel and could support disaster-relief logistics.
Criticism and Opposition
Members of the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party argued that the proposal lacked sufficient information, prompting their vote against it. The Puglia regional council urged the government to retain the *Garibaldi* for conversion into a museum at the port of Taranto, emphasizing cultural and heritage considerations.
Strategic Significance
The donation reinforces Italy’s strategic outreach to Southeast Asia, complements existing €1.5 billion arms sales, and offers Indonesia a platform that can be repurposed for humanitarian assistance. The arrangement also illustrates a cost-saving approach for Italy, converting an obsolete asset into diplomatic capital.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Both Reuters and The Straits Times present identical cost and timeline figures; no direct contradictions appear. However, the precise terms of the hand-over, including training provisions and future maintenance responsibilities, remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Structural wear and the obsolescence of onboard systems” — Italian government document
- “no longer meets current capability and operational requirements” — Italian government document
- “It is a reasonable operation. Military and industrial cooperation brings returns, including on the political front and in other economic dossiers,” — Alessandro Marrone, Istituto Affari Internazionali
- “Defence officials in Jakarta say accepting the donation would be more time-efficient and cost-effective than buying a new ship, and could be useful for aid distribution in disasters, according to Indonesian media.” — Indonesian defence officials (as reported)
Upcoming Steps
The Italian and Indonesian ministries will finalize the transfer paperwork by December 2026. Subsequent monitoring will focus on the execution of the pending €1.5 billion submarine and aircraft contracts and on any additional joint projects arising from the carrier’s new role.
