PT PAL Indonesia Lays Keel for Second Modified Philippines Landing Dock Export Ship

PT PAL Indonesia initiated the construction of the second modified Filipino Landing Dock Export Ship with the ceremonial laying of its keel on May 29.

Following the ceremony, a comprehensive technical review was conducted by the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) and Philippines Navy Owner Representatives (PNOR) teams.

In June 2022, Manila and PT PAL signed a follow-on contract for two modified additional Strategic Sealift Vessels (SSVs), continuing the 2014 $92 million agreement that produced the Tarlac-class vessels BRP Tarlac (commissioned in June 2016) and BRP Davao del Sur (commissioned in May 2017).

The keel for the third, and first modified, warship was laid in January 2024. The keel for the fourth, and second modified, warship was laid on Wednesday.

These modified Tarlac-class vessels, based on a South Korean design used by the Indonesian Navy, will have an increased overall length of 124 meters compared to the 123 meters of their predecessors.

The two Philippine Navy’s Landing Platform Dock (LPD) boast dimensions of 124 meters in length, 21.8 meters in width, and a displacement of 7,400 tons. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 16 knots, they offer an operational range of 9,360 nautical miles and an endurance of 30 days, accommodating a maximum of 680 personnel. Their design allows for the accommodation of three helicopters, two Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels, two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB), and two additional small boats, enabling a diverse range of military and non-military operations, including amphibious landing, naval gunfire support, mass evacuation, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.

The delivery of the first LPD is scheduled for 2026.