The Philippine Navy (PN) announced on Tuesday that it has commenced the construction of two additional landing docks in Indonesia. This development marks a significant milestone in the PN’s shipbuilding capabilities and strategic sealift capability.
The keel laying rites for the third landing dock and the steel cutting rites for the fourth landing dock took place at the shipbuilding facilities of PT Pal Indonesia in the city of Surabaya. Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, the PN Vice Commander, and Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Jamoralin were present to witness the ceremonies.
For those unfamiliar with shipbuilding terminology, steel cutting signifies the start of the construction process, while keel laying refers to the building of the ship’s backbone. These ceremonies mark the official commencement of the ships’ construction.
The two additional landing docks will be identical to the PN’s Tarlac-class landing docks, namely the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602). These landing docks are derived from the Makassar-class landing platform dock of the Indonesian Navy. The acquisition of these two landing docks is part of the Landing Dock Acquisition Project (LDAP) for the PN, which has an approved budget of PHP5.5 billion. The budget also includes mission-essential equipment.
It is worth noting that the first two landing docks of the PN were delivered in 2016 and 2017, showcasing the Navy’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities over the years.
The acquisition of these additional landing docks is expected to significantly boost the PN’s strategic sealift capability and enhance the capacity of its personnel, particularly in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. The new landing docks will enable the Navy to be more effective and efficient in fulfilling its mandate to protect the country’s territorial waters.
With the construction of these landing docks underway, the PN is taking proactive steps to strengthen its maritime capabilities. The strategic location of the Philippines in Southeast Asia necessitates a strong naval presence to safeguard its territorial waters and contribute to regional security.
The collaboration between the Philippine Navy and PT Pal Indonesia is a testament to the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. This partnership not only promotes defense cooperation but also fosters economic ties and technological exchange.
The construction of these landing docks in Indonesia highlights the importance of international collaboration in the defense industry. By leveraging the expertise and resources of both countries, the Philippines and Indonesia are able to enhance their respective naval capabilities.
In conclusion, the Philippine Navy’s construction of two additional landing docks in Indonesia marks a significant step forward in its shipbuilding capabilities and strategic sealift capability. These landing docks will play a crucial role in enhancing the PN’s capacity to respond to humanitarian crises and protect the country’s territorial waters. The collaboration between the Philippines and Indonesia in this endeavor not only strengthens defense cooperation but also fosters stronger ties between the two nations.
Source: The Manila Times
