Page 17 - ADAS 2024 - DAY 1

Philippines and Indonesia

Growing Defence Cooperation

Indonesia and the Philippines, two Southeast LPDs, with improved designs, reflecting capabilities.
Asian neighbours, share a strong defence their satisfaction with the initial batch and
and security partnership shaped by their a growing trust in Indonesia’s shipbuild- The hospital ships in particular hold im-
maritime interests and regional stability. ing capabilities. These vessels will further mense value for the disaster-prone archi-
Over the years, their defence relationship strengthen the Philippine Navy’s capacity pelago, where the ability to provide rapid
has grown significantly, with Indonesia to carry out humanitarian, logistical, and medical care during emergencies is crucial.
supplying critical military hardware to the amphibious operations. The potential acquisition of these ships
Philippines and both nations participating would represent a significant boost to the
in joint security initiatives. From naval as- Potential New Deals: PT PAL’s Philippines’ disaster relief infrastructure.
sets to aircraft, and the potential for future Offers at Philmarine Expo 2024
deals in tactical vehicles and firearms, here’s Expanding Air Capabilities: NC-
a look at key moments in this evolving At the 2024 Philippines Marine (Philmarine)
Expo, Indonesia’s PT PAL showcased several 212i Aircraft
partnership.
of its latest offerings, including hospital In addition to naval assets, Indonesia’s PT
A Landmark Partnership: Landing ships, surface combatants, and sea re- Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has also con-
search vessels. These products align with
Platform Dock (LPD) Vessels the Philippines’ growing need for enhanced tributed to enhancing the Philippines’ air
mobility. In 2018, the Philippine Air Force
One of the most prominent milestones in maritime security and humanitarian support acquired two NC-212i light transport aircraft,
the defence cooperation between Indonesia
and the Philippines is the acquisition of
Landing Platform Dock (LPD) vessels by
the Philippine Navy. These vessels, built by
Indonesia’s PT PAL, form the backbone of
the Philippines’ amphibious and disaster
response capabilities.

In May 2016, PT PAL delivered the first
vessel, BRP Tarlac (LD-601), which was
commissioned in June 2016. Following its
success, the second vessel, BRP Davao del
Sur (LD-602), was delivered in May 2017
and commissioned later that month. These
Makassar-class LPDs have proven to be
versatile, supporting a wide range of mis-
sions from troop transport to disaster relief.
In 2023, the Philippines ordered two more

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