Pride or practicality? Indonesia receives first aircraft carrier amid fears of upkeep cost
Jakarta has approved US$450 million for the aircraft carrier programme but some lawmakers warn the final bill could be higher
The 41-year-old former ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, with capacity for short take-off and vertical landing aircraft and helicopters, was welcomed with a military ceremony upon its arrival at a naval base in North Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok seaport.
“We intend to use the ship primarily for military operations other than war, although it can also be deployed for combat missions if necessary,” Indonesian Navy chief Admiral Muhammad Ali told reporters after the ceremony. He said the carrier could serve the navy for another 15 to 20 years and could accommodate 14 helicopters or more, depending on their size.
