MANILA, Philippines - The construction of the strategic sealift vessels to be acquired by the Philippines from Indonesia has started, in a move that will bring the Navy closer to its goal of improving its capabilities.
Navy public affairs chief Cdr. Lued Lincuna said a steel-cutting ceremony marking the start of the construction of the ships was held in Surabaya, Indonesia last January 22.
A Philippine contingent led by Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan witnessed the ceremony, also attended by executives from supplier PT PAL Indonesia (Persero).
"These forthcoming landing platform dock strategic sealift vessels will improve the capacity of the Philippine Navy and boost the defense capabilities of the country,” Lincuna said in a statement issued Friday.
“These vessels are critical assets for civil-military operations due to their capability of transporting large number of soldiers, logistics, and supplies,” he added.
The vessels can transport supplies and a large number of soldiers and can be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster response. They will serve as the Navy’s floating command center when conducting operations.
Each vessel can accommodate three helicopters. Lincuna said the Navy’s Augusta Westland-109 helicopters would be placed on board the ships.
The Navy is expecting the first vessel to be delivered by May 2016. The second ship is scheduled to arrive the following year.
Last year, The STAR reported that Indonesian firm PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) had won the bidding for the supply of two brand new strategic sealift vessels, one of the biggest projects in the military’s upgrade program. The notice of award was issued to the company in December 2013.
PT PAL submitted a bid of $86,980,000 or P3.86-billion, well within the approved budget of P4-billion.
Seven firms expressed interest to join the bidding but only two of them submitted offers.
The other bidder, Daewoo International, was disqualified by the Defense department because of its failure to satisfy some technical requirements.
Aside from the strategic sealift vessels, the Navy is expecting the delivery of additional naval helicopters and small amphibian vehicles. It is also in the process of acquiring two frigates with ammunitions worth P18 billion.