The two Australian-donated landing craft heavies (LCHs),
which were turned over and commissioned into Philippine Navy service in Cairns,
Australia last July 23, are scheduled to arrive on or before Aug. 9 in Manila.
This was disclosed by Navy public affairs office chief Cmdr.
Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA.
He added that the LCHs will be entering Philippine watersby
July 31.
Lincuna declined to give specific locations or the LCHs rate
of advance for security reasons but stressed that the ships will be meeting
their first week of August timetable.
The LCHs left Cairns , Australia for their voyage to the Philippines
The two ships were named BRP Ivatan (AT-298) and BRP Batak
(AT-299).
They will be joining the five other landing craft units in
PN service.
"The vessels will also be useful in transporting troops
from one operational area to another," PN flag-officer-in-command Vice
Admiral Jesus C. Millan disclosed.
Prior the turnover and commissioning, Millan and Royal
Australian Navy head Vice Admiral Tim Barret signed a memorandum of agreement
regarding the transfer of the LCHs.
The signing was witnessed by Philippine Fleet commander Rear
Admiral Leopoldo M. Alano and Sealift Amphibious Force head Commodore Narciso
A. Vingson.
The Australian government announced the donation of the two
LCHs last January following its decommissioning on November 2014.
The two donated LCHs are formerly named the HMAS Tarakan and
HMAS Brunei.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=787928
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