Satellite imagery has revealed that the Indonesian Navy has painted a full-scale outline of an aircraft carrier flight deck at the Juanda Surabaya Air Base. The 1:1 scale diagram, captured in imagery from May 11, 2026, appears on a paved apron area located adjacent to hangar infrastructure.
Details of the Flight Deck Mockup
The white-lined outline replicates the overall shape of the flight deck of the Giuseppe Garibaldi, a former Italian Navy vessel. The diagram includes specific internal features, such as aircraft elevators and marked deck edges.
Notably, the layout is mirrored along the vessel’s longitudinal axis. This means the elevator outlines are positioned on the port side rather than the starboard side, which differs from the ship’s actual configuration.
The mockup has been superimposed over an established rotary-wing operating area. Several pre-existing helicopter landing symbols remain visible beneath and around the new carrier outline.
Strategic Implications and Future Use
The creation of this deck outline is assessed as a preparatory step before the Indonesian Navy receives its first aircraft carrier. The move suggests a focus on operational readiness and personnel training ahead of the vessel’s arrival.
Indonesia has stated its intention to adapt the vessel to meet specific navy requirements. The goal is to convert the ship into a platform for helicopters and rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Once converted, the vessel is intended to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions. This shift in capability may allow Indonesia to enhance its response to regional crises.
Potential Next Steps
Following the preparation of the airbase infrastructure, the Indonesian Navy is likely to begin the physical transfer and adaptation of the Giuseppe Garibaldi. This process could involve modifications to the ship’s systems to support its new role in HADR operations.
The Navy may also continue to refine its rotary-wing and UAV integration strategies using the Surabaya mockup before fully transitioning operations to the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the deck outline in Surabaya?
We see assessed as a preparatory step for the Indonesian Navy to familiarize itself with the flight deck of the Giuseppe Garibaldi before receiving the vessel.
How does the mockup differ from the actual ship?
The layout is mirrored along the longitudinal axis, placing the elevator outlines on the port side instead of the starboard side.
What will Indonesia use the aircraft carrier for?
Indonesia intends to convert the vessel into a platform for helicopters and rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.
How might the introduction of a dedicated carrier platform change regional disaster response capabilities?
