Fincantieri and Surabaya-based PT PAL Indonesia have signed a cooperation framework to support the modernization of Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier, the KRI Sriwijaya.
The vessel, formerly known as ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi of the Italian Navy, was transferred to Indonesia earlier this month through a grant from the Italian government.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Fincantieri, which originally designed and built the carrier, will provide technical expertise and platform-specific knowledge. PT PAL will contribute its capabilities in shipbuilding, systems integration, maintenance, and lifecycle support.
The two companies will work together to establish a modernization roadmap for the carrier. The initiative is expected to involve additional stakeholders from Italy and Indonesia, while also focusing on developing local industrial capabilities and strengthening Indonesia’s maritime and defense ecosystem.
The agreement follows the Indonesian Navy’s receipt of its second Brawijaya-class offshore patrol vessel, KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321), from Fincantieri in March.
KRI Sriwijaya
Fincantieri constructed the Giuseppe Garibaldi at its Monfalcone shipyard and delivered the vessel to the Italian Navy in 1985. The ship remained in Italian service until 2024.
The 180-meter (591-foot) carrier is designed for short take-off and vertical landing operations. It has a displacement of approximately 13,850 tonnes and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots (55.5 km/h or 34.5 mph).
The vessel can accommodate around 10 medium-sized helicopters, each capable of carrying approximately four to five tonnes of water. According to The Straits Times, Indonesia intends to use KRI Sriwijaya for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across the archipelago.
Although the Indonesian government has allocated approximately $450 million for the program, modernization and retrofit expenses could reportedly increase to as much as $900 million. The potential cost escalation could place additional pressure on Indonesia’s defense budget and affect funding available for other naval priorities.
