Jakarta, Sept. 8 -- Indonesia's first aircraft carrier, ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, has reached the Arabian Sea and is expected to enter Indonesian waters on September 17, the Indonesian Navy said Tuesday.

Navy information Chief First Adm. Tunggul said the carrier was sailing through the Arabian Sea and remained on schedule to arrive in Indonesia on September 17, barring any problems.

The carrier is being escorted by Italian Navy ships and will be met by Indonesian Navy vessels as it approaches Jakarta, Tunggul said.

At least two Indonesian frigates and aircraft from the Navy Aviation Center will escort the carrier into Indonesian waters, with an aerial embarkation drill planned during the voyage to Jakarta.

Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Muham...