Indonesia repaints carrier vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi ahead of handover

 The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has begun repainting the former Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, ahead of its official handover on Thursday, Sept. 24.

"We are currently repainting the ship's superstructure and hull to match the standard gray livery of the Indonesian Navy," First Admiral Tunggul, Head of the TNI AL Information Service, told 

Tunggul added that crew members are also applying a new hull number to the vessel.

The Giuseppe Garibaldi arrived in Jakarta on Sept. 18 following a 20-day voyage from Italy.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali welcomed the warship upon its arrival at Pier 107.

According to Admiral Ali, the vessel will be officially renamed KRI Sriwijaya during Thursday's ceremony, which will feature a formal flag-lowering and ensign-switching process.

Following the handover, the aircraft carrier will undergo systems upgrades through a joint collaboration between Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL and Italian naval defense firm Fincantieri.