Surabaya, (E Java Antara) - The state-owned shipbuilding company PT PAL Indonesia has launched the domestically built Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV)-1 and Guided-missile Destroyer Escort (PKR)-1 in a ceremony held at the PAL shipyard in Tanjung Perak, here, Monday.
"The Philippines has ordered two Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships of SSV type from Indonesia. At the moment, the first ship has been launched, while the keel of the second vessel has been laid," President Director of PT PAL Indonesia M. Firmansyah noted.
The launch ceremony was attended by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, some legislators, naval officials, and representatives of the Philippine Defense Ministry.
The SSV-1 has been named Tarlac by the Philippine defense minister.
The SSV warship belonging to the Lloyd Register class has been domestically built on the order of the Philippine defense ministry.
The warship is the first-ever to be exported by Indonesia and has received international recognition for the sophistication in its manufacturing process, according to Firmansyah.
Following the launch, PT PAL will do the finishing touches before delivering the SSV to the Philippines in May 2016.
The SSV is an upcoming class of LPD measuring a length of 123 meters, a width of 21.6 meters, and a speed of 16 knots, with a sailing endurance of up to 30 days at sea.
It can carry two helicopters and landing craft utility vessel, some tanks, and military trucks.
The PKR-1 frigate was built for the Indonesian defense ministry. Its manufacturing was carried out in cooperation with Dutch shipbuilder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) through a transfer of technology.
The frigate will be handed over to the Indonesian defense ministry in January 2017.
The PKR-1 is 105.11 meters long, 14.2 meters wide, and has a speed of 28 knots. The frigate is able to sail for 20 days at a speed of 14 knots.
The warship is equipped with battle equipment such as torpedoes and missiles.(*)
