Indonesia's carrier to be stripped of weapons ahead of modernisation

KRI Sriwijaya , seen here at Tanjung Priok prior to its induction. (Satya Adhi / AFP via Getty )

Indonesia's newly commissioned carrier KRI Sriwijaya will be stripped of its weapons and electronic communications equipment ahead of its modernisation programme, sources close to the matter have confirmed to Janes.

The confirmation comes after Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced on 28 September that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Indonesian shipyard PT PAL to modernise Sriwijaya.

Under the agreement, the shipyards will jointly define modernisation activities, responsibilities, and the overall approach to upgrading the vessel.

Fincantieri said the programme is intended to maximise the ship's effectiveness across missions ranging from defence and maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Originally commissioned into the Italian Navy in 1985 as ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, the carrier served for decades as Italy's flagship and operated fixed-wing Harrier aircraft as well as helicopters.

The vessel arrived in Indonesia in September 2026 and was redesignated Sriwijaya following its induction.

Imagery released from the induction ceremony indicates that at least some legacy combat-system fittings remain visible.

Among the externally observable systems are the vessel's torpedo-tube launchers, a Breda twin 40 mm gun turret, and other legacy topside equipment associated with its former configuration.

The status of the ship's combat-management system, sensors, communications equipment, electronic-warfare suite, and other mission systems has not been publicly disclosed.

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