Jakarta, May 11 -- Indonesia's navy is preparing several bases to host the Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier as Jakarta moves closer to acquiring the vessel from Italy, Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali said on Monday.

Ali said personnel had been assigned and would soon be sent to Italy, while the navy was preparing infrastructure to support operations of what would become Indonesia's first aircraft carrier.

"We are also preparing several bases in Indonesia," Ali told reporters at the Kolinlamil pier in Jakarta, without disclosing the locations or the progress of construction.

The preparations come as the Indonesian Navy awaits further coordination from the Defense Ministry, which is handling negotiations with Italian shipbuilder Finca...