Indonesia, Italy plan joint crew for aircraft carrier handover

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Italy plan to deploy a joint naval crew aboard the Giuseppe Garibaldi - Indonesia's first aircraft carrier - during its delivery voyage to Indonesia before the vessel is officially handed over.

Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) spokesperson First Admiral Tunggul said at a press conference at the Navy headquarters in Jakarta on Monday that the arrangement is intended to help Indonesian personnel familiarize themselves with the vessel under the guidance of their Italian counterparts.

He said the Navy has sent 100 personnel to Italy to undergo training with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, enabling them to acquire the knowledge and skills required to operate the aircraft carrier, which Indonesia will receive under a grant scheme.

After completing the training, the Indonesian sailors will join members of the Italian Navy in sailing the Giuseppe Garibaldi to Indonesia.

"They will arrive in Indonesia, and the handover process will then take place," Tunggul said.

Although he did not disclose details of the transfer schedule, he confirmed that the aircraft carrier will eventually be operated entirely by an Indonesian crew.

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Tunggul expressed hope that the training, adaptation process, and voyage would provide Indonesian personnel with sufficient operational experience before they assume full responsibility for the vessel.

Earlier this year, the Navy's Assistant for Operations, Rear Admiral Yayan Sofiyan, said the service plans to assign around 500 personnel to operate the aircraft carrier.

"It is essential to prepare personnel with the specialized skills required to serve aboard an aircraft carrier," he said during an online discussion on Indonesia's transition toward a blue-water navy on Feb. 25.

Yayan noted that the total crew could exceed 500 because the current estimate includes navigation and aviation personnel but does not yet account for additional support staff.

He also emphasized the need to prepare supporting infrastructure, including berthing facilities, as well as the technical and logistical systems required for the carrier's long-term operations.

Despite the scale of the preparations, Yayan expressed confidence that the Indonesian Navy would be ready to receive and operate the country's first aircraft carrier effectively.

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Translator: Walda M, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Primayanti

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