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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Navy's newest landing dock launched in Indonesia

PH Navy's newest landing dock launched in Indonesia

Published Jul 6, 2026 10:49 am

At A Glance

  • The Philippine Navy's newest landing dock platform was launched at PT PAL Indonesia in Surabaya on June 30 as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the AFP modernization program.
  • The future BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603) is expected to strengthen the Navy's strategic sealift, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and maritime security operations with upgraded features over the Tarlac-class vessels.
  • The ship is the first of two new landing docks being built by PT PAL. Both vessels will boost the Navy's capacity to transport troops, vehicles, military equipment, and relief supplies once they enter service.
Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Navy (PN), and Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia witness the launching of the PN's newest landing platform dock at the PT PAL Indonesia shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia on June 30, 2026. The 124-meter vessel is expected to be named BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603). (Photo: Philippine Navy)
Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Navy (PN), and Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia witness the launching of the PN's newest landing platform dock at the PT PAL Indonesia shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia on June 30, 2026. The 124-meter vessel is expected to be named BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603). (Photo: Philippine Navy)
The Philippine Navy (PN) confirmed on Monday, July 6, that the first of its two new landing docks was already launched in Surabaya, Indonesia, bringing the service closer to adding another strategic sealift vessel to its growing fleet under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program.
The 124-meter vessel was launched last June 30 at the PT PAL Indonesia shipyard in Surabaya in a ceremony attended by PN Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta and an AFP delegation headed by Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rommel P. Roldan.
The ship is part of the Landing Dock Acquisition Project under the Horizon 2 phase of the revised AFP modernization program. It is expected to be commissioned as BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603), which coincides with the name of the home province of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The future PN Landing Dock is expected to significantly enhance the Philippine Navy's capability to conduct strategic sealift operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and maritime security missions,” Captain Marie Angelica Sisican, director of PN’s Naval Public Affairs Office, said.
The vessel is the first of two improved landing platform docks ordered by the Department of National Defense (DND) from Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL under a contract signed in June 2022. The project stemmed from a modernization plan approved in principle in 2018 to strengthen the Navy's amphibious lift and sealift capability.
The new ships are based on the Tarlac-class landing platform docks BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) that were also built by PT PAL. Lessons from operating the earlier vessels were incorporated into the new design.
“Its launching reflects the Philippine Navy's continuing efforts to establish a modern and responsive fleet as it continues to invest in capabilities and strategic partnerships that enable it to better protect the nation's sovereignty and serve the Filipino people,” Sisican noted.
Compared with the Tarlac-class, the new landing dock has a larger vehicle and well deck, wider side ramps, an upgraded air conditioning system, dedicated spaces for Multi-Purpose Attack Craft operations, and provisions for additional combat systems that may be installed in the future.
The ship can carry two medium helicopters on its flight deck and one inside its hangar. It is also designed to accommodate a 76-millimeter main gun, two 30-millimeter secondary guns, a close-in weapon system, and eight 12.7-millimeter heavy machine guns, although these weapons will be installed separately after delivery.
Construction started with a steel-cutting ceremony in August 2023, followed by the keel laying in January 2024. The project encountered delays before the vessel was finally launched last month.
A second ship, carrying the hull number LD-604, is also under construction at the PT PAL shipyard.
Once both vessels enter service, they are expected to strengthen the Navy’s capability to transport troops, military equipment, vehicles, and humanitarian assistance supplies during security operations and disaster response missions.

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Philippine Navy landing dock platform future BRP Ilocos Norte Indonesia
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