The construction of two landing type warship that were ordered by the Philippine Navy from Indonesian ship manufacturer has started following a the keel laying and first steel cutting ceremonies in Surabaya City.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Benjo Negranza explained that the ceremonies, witnessed by Philippine Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia on Monday, Ja. 22, signaled the official start of the ship’s construction by the PT PAL Indonesia, a state-owned ship manufacturing company.
Negranza said the two vessels will be identical to the PN’s Tarlac-class landing docks -- the BRP Tarlac (LD601) and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD602), which are derivative of the Makassar-class landing platform dock of the Indonesian Navy
“This acquisition is expected to significantly boost the strategic sealift capability of the PN and enhance the capacity of its personnel primarily in the conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations,” said Negranza.
“Being the primary maritime force of the country, the entry of these new landing docks to the Philippine Navy inventory will enable a more effective and efficient fulfillment of its mandate,” he added.
Philippine Navy Vice Commander, Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, delivers his message during the ceremony at the PT PAL shipbuilding facilities in Surabaya on January 22, which signaled the start of the construction of two landing type warships for the Philippine Navy. (photo: Philippine Navy)
The two landing type warships reportedly have a maximum speed of 16 knots, cruising speed of 13 knots and cruising endurance of 30 days. Each of the landing docks can accommodate up to 680 people.
The procurement was part of the Landing Dock Acquisition Project (LDAP) for the Philippine Navy with an approved budget of Php5.5 billion that also includes mission-essential equipment.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been aggressive in its modernization plan in the past years amid the growing tension in the West Philippine Sea.