Kolkata, August 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indonesia’s planned acquisition of the retired Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi could have strategic implications for India, particularly because of the vessel’s proposed deployment near the Sunda Strait, relatively close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Indonesia plans to station the carrier at Ratai Bay in Lampung, at the southern tip of Sumatra. The location is around 850 nautical miles from Great Nicobar Island, placing the vessel within a region of strategic importance to India.
The Garibaldi, which has been retired by the Italian Navy, is an ageing light carrier and is expected to arrive in Indonesia around September 20, ahead of the country’s Armed Forces Day celebrations on October 5. Italy is expected to transfer the ship after removing its armaments.
There has been speculation that Indonesia could operate legacy AV-8B Harrier aircraft from the carrier, although the vessel’s relatively small flight deck limits its ability to accommodate modern carrier-based fighter aircraft. More significantly, Jakarta is reportedly considering operating Turkish-origin Bayraktar TB3 unmanned combat aerial vehicles from the ship.
The carrier is also expected to operate AS-565 Panther helicopters with anti-submarine warfare capabilities, adding to its surveillance and maritime security role.
India and Indonesia maintain close defence ties under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including cooperation in defence equipment and Indonesia’s procurement of BrahMos and Astra missiles. However, the deployment of an aircraft carrier near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is being watched closely by Indian defence authorities.
“There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in the world. We certainly keep a watch on any development that goes on in the neighbourhood and the Garibaldi is no exception,” a senior Ministry of Defence official said on condition of anonymity.
Indonesia’s strategic alignment has evolved over the years. During the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Jakarta had offered to take over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to ease pressure on Pakistan. In recent years, however, relations between India and Indonesia have strengthened, with Jakarta taking a supportive position towards India following Operation Sindoor.
Nevertheless, analysts believe the carrier’s presence in waters near the Andamans could become a factor that India would need to monitor, particularly during any future regional conflict.
“While there is nothing that anybody can do if a country wishes to procure an aircraft carrier, its presence in the Andaman Sea during a conflict with Pakistan may cause some diversion of attention,” an analyst said.
The development is therefore likely to remain on the radar of India’s maritime and defence planners as Indonesia expands its naval capabilities in the wider Indo-Pacific region.
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