Indonesia Prepares First Aircraft Carrier for Disaster Response Missions

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Government Communications Agency Head Muhammad Qodari said that the KRI Sriwijaya-100 aircraft carrier (its former name was Giuseppe Garibaldi) is being prepared to support disaster response, with helicopter and drone capabilities alongside its maritime defense functions.

He said the Indonesian Navy's first aircraft carrier was being strengthened in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives at a limited meeting on disaster response.

The government is upgrading KRI Sriwijaya-100 to support helicopter and drone operations, Qodari said.

"This capability is prioritized to support Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), particularly disaster mitigation and humanitarian missions," Qodari said in a statement on Monday.

Indonesia's archipelagic geography requires weapons systems that can be rapidly deployed to different regions, Qodari said.

Disaster response often faces challenges delivering aid and deploying personnel when affected areas become inaccessible by land, he said.

"With its ability to support helicopter movements and carry and distribute various supplies, the KRI Sriwijaya-100 can help reach areas that are difficult to access by land or other means," he said.

Qodari said the ship's disaster-response role would complement, rather than replace, its primary function of strengthening Indonesia's maritime defense.

"Therefore, KRI Sriwijaya-100 is intended not only to enhance Indonesia's maritime defense capabilities but also to support emergency response efforts and assist communities when needed," he said.

KRI Sriwijaya-100 officially joined the Indonesian Navy after being commissioned by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, on Sept. 24.

The ship, formerly known as ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, was operated by the Italian Navy and is the first aircraft carrier in the Indonesian Navy.

The Defense Ministry said KRI Sriwijaya-100 can serve as a maritime operations command center and support defense diplomacy and humanitarian missions.

The Indonesian Navy has said the ship has facilities for helicopter and drone operations and is expected to support MOOTW, including disaster response and humanitarian assistance.

Read: Where Will Indonesia Homeport Its First Aircraft Carrier from Italy?