Indonesia Sends New Carrier to Fight Kalimantan Wildfires

Indonesia's new aircraft carrier, the former Italian Navy ship Giuseppe Garibaldi, is due to reach Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta on September 17. The Navy isn't wasting time. The carrier heads directly to Kalimantan after arrival to support firefighting operations.

President Prabowo Subianto called for the deployment on September 7, following a cabinet meeting on disaster management. The ship will work as a helicopter platform. The flight deck can take up to ten medium-class helicopters at once, including Black Hawk and Mi-17 variants. Each can carry four to five tonnes of water to active fire fronts.

Kalimantan has been hit hard by wildfires this season. The carrier gives Indonesia a way to position a large number of firefighting aircraft close to remote hotspots and run operations from offshore, without depending on onshore airfields.

The Navy is preparing a formal escort for the handover into Indonesian waters. At least two frigates and naval aviation aircraft will meet the Garibaldi at the territorial boundary. Italian Navy vessels are currently providing escort through international waters.

The ship is due for its commissioning ceremony as KRI Gajah Mada in late September. The Kalimantan firefighting deployment starts first.

The Garibaldi stopped in Colombo on its final leg to Indonesia before heading into Indonesian waters.