Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder, PT PAL, conducted a keel-laying ceremony for the third Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ship for the Philippine Navy, in Surabaya, East Java today (Jan. 22). Also known as the Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) project in the Philippines, the event also marks the steel cutting for the fourth ship as part of a contract signed in Manila, Philippines in June 2022.
"With the Philippines, two ships have been exported and currently another (two) are under contract. This shows the level of trust of friendly countries in our defense industry," said Kaharuddin Djenod, President Director of PT PAL. "When trust is given to the domestic defense industry, we can provide results of truly convincing quality, and are not inferior to the results of the foreign defense industry," he added.
Indonesia exported two ships to the Philippines under a previous contract signed in 2014. Both are now on active duty with the Philippine Navy as the Tarlac-class LPDs.
“This is a testament to the spirit of friendship, cooperation, and shared commitment to regional security and stability,” said Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard N Valencia, Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy. "The journey we begin today symbolizes not only the building of ships but also the strengthening of the ties that unite our two maritime nations."
“This ship, born from the collaborative efforts of Indonesian and Filipino experts, will be a symbol of our shared commitment to defense and maritime cooperation. This is a form of joint dedication to advancing maritime capabilities, encouraging regional stability, and fostering a sense of concern between countries," he concluded.
With a planned launch in 2025 and delivery in 2026, the third and fourth LPD ships for the Philippine Navy will incorporate numerous changes compared to the Tarlac-class ships. While the specifics of these changes have not been publicized, it is believed that the newer ships will have improved well decks, and helicopter hangars, as well as other general improvements in their layout.
All these changes are based on the user’s inputs to improve the serviceability of the new vessels.
Each of the new LPD ships for the Philippine Navy has a displacement of around 7,200 tonnes. With a length of 124 meters and 21.8 meters beam, these ships will have a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots under full load. They will have a maximum range of about 9,360 nautical miles and a 30-day endurance.
With a maximum capacity of 680 fully armed troops, each ship can carry 1 helicopter in the 10-ton weight class. There are also two landing pads for two helicopters that can be used simultaneously. Aside from two Landing Craft Utility (LCU) carried inside the well deck, each ship is also equipped with two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), one on each side of the superstructure.
Each of the new LPDs will have a provision for a 76 mm Oto Melara main gun, two mount points for two Aselsan SMASH 30 mm cannons, a mount point for a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), and eight mount points for 8 12.7 mm heavy machine guns. All of these weapons are to be installed separately by the Philippine Navy after delivery.
Photo: PT PAL
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