Italian Aircraft Carrier Officially Becomes KRI Sriwijaya-100, Prabowo Receives Italian Navy Chief Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto at the Palace

Indonesia has officially strengthened its naval fleet by taking delivery of the Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. The handover took place in Jakarta on Thursday (24/9/2026), marked by the lowering of the Italian flag and the raising of the Merah Putih on the ship's deck. The vessel now bears the name KRI Sriwijaya-100 and joins the ranks of the Indonesian Navy.

The ceremony was attended by a number of senior military officials, including Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, and Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono. During the ceremony, Agus inaugurated the ship's operation with a basmalah recitation, marking a new chapter in Indonesia's maritime capabilities.

A day later, public attention turned to the visit of the Italian Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, to the Presidential Palace. He arrived at around 13.05 WIB in the distinctive white uniform of the Italian navy, and was received directly by President Prabowo Subianto. Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed the meeting, though he did not detail what was discussed.

"With the words bismillahirrahmanirrahim, on this day, Thursday, 24 September 2026, I, General Agus Subiyanto, Commander of the TNI, hereby inaugurate KRI Sriwijaya-100 into the ranks of the Indonesian Navy," Agus said during the ceremony.

For Indonesia, the arrival of this aircraft carrier is not merely an addition to its defense equipment. It is a leap in the naval power projection capability that until now has been the preserve of major powers. With an aircraft carrier, the Indonesian Navy can operate fighter aircraft from the sea, extend its operational reach, and strengthen defense diplomacy in the region.

However, operating an aircraft carrier demands infrastructure readiness, trained personnel, and a maintenance budget that is far from small. The government needs to ensure that this procurement does not stop at ceremony, but is followed by the development of a supporting ecosystem, including bases, weapons systems, and crew training.

From a geopolitical standpoint, this step reinforces Indonesia's position amid the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. Cooperation with Italy also opens opportunities for technology transfer and stronger bilateral ties in the defense sector. For market players, this signal of defense spending could boost the domestic strategic industries sector, especially if there is technology transfer and the involvement of PT PAL.

Going forward, the public will be waiting to see how KRI Sriwijaya-100 is integrated into Indonesia's maritime defense doctrine. Will this ship become the center of a combat task force, or will it instead face operational challenges due to limited support? The answer will shape the direction of Indonesia's defense policy over the next decade.