Appropriate weapons system to be fitted to PHL's first SSV

From the Philippine News Agency (May 19): Appropriate weapons system to be fitted to PHL's first SSV

Weapons will be fitted to the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), the country's first strategic sealift vessel (SSV), to give the latter the capability to defend itself against possible threats.

At the moment, the Philippine Navy (PN) is now evaluating appropriate weapons systems for the 7,300 gross ton ship.

"We’re still looking at the design and the appropriate weapons to be attached to this vessel. Definitely we’re going to put weapons system in this particular vessel," Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said.

But since the BRP Tarlac is designated as a SSV, he stressed that whenever it goes on patrol or deployment, the PN's largest ship will be provided "force protection by our combat ships."

These escorting vessels will be provided by the PN's offshore combat force, he said.

"But definitely we’ll put in weapons systems, (so) at the very least she is able to defend herself," he said.

BRP Tarlac left the Surabaya shipyard of PT PAL (Persero) on May 9. She arrived in Manila Bay after a five-day voyage last May 14.

She can carry 500 troops at one time along with two rigid-hull inflatable boats, two landing craft units and three helicopters.

She also has minimum operating range of 7,500 nautical miles and a complement of 121 officers and enlisted personnel.

The BRP Tarlac is one of the two SSVs acquired from PT PAL (Persero) for the a total of PHP3.8 billion.

The Filipino SSV was patterned after the Indonesian Makassar-class landing platform dock. Her sister-ship is expected to be delivered by May 2017.

BRP Tarlac has an overall length of 120 meters,breadth of 21 meters, draft of five meters and can carry a payload of 2,800 tons.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=886573