Should Indonesia later develop ship-based UAV capabilities, Sriwijaya’s value could change significantly. The ship does not need to be understood as a miniature US aircraft carrier. It can evolve into an aviation support ship that combines helicopters, UAVs, logistics, evacuation, disaster relief, maritime surveillance, and joint operation support.
Ultimately, its strategic value will be determined by what Indonesia does after the ship is received: how its modernization is managed, how operational costs are controlled, how the national industry absorbs the knowledge, how crews and doctrines are developed, how helicopter and UAV capabilities are integrated, and how the ship is positioned within the overall TNI force structure