Pending the country’s acquisition of an aircraft or helicopter carrier, the newly-arrived BRP Tarlac (LD-601) is currently the Philippine Navy (PN)’s largest commissioned ship. Each SSV has the capacity to house three helicopters, landing crafts, and amphibious vehicles. The Navy’s Augusta Westland-109s are programmed to be on-board components of these vessels.
The latter is one of the two strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) ordered from Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL (Persero) for PHP3,870,000,000. The BRP Tarlac anchored off the breakwater of Manila South Harbor midnight of May 14 exactly four days later after leaving the PT PAL (Persero)’s shipyard in Surabaya last May 9.
Her distinction as the PN’s largest vessel ever was confirmed by Defense undersecretary for veterans affairs and retired Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus Millan in a message to the PNA Monday.
“[As former PN head] personally I could say that for the transport category this Tarlac class vessel is the biggest now because it has a standard load capacity of 7,200 tons versus the landing ship vessel or Bacolod City class of 4,265 tons,” he added.
Millan is the PN’s 34th flag-officer-in-command. He assumed command of the Navy in April 30, 2014. He retired on Aug. 10, 2015, turning over his post to Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad.
The PN operate two ships of the Bacolod City class and these were commissioned in Dec. 1, 1993. The two ships in the class are named BRP Dagupan City (LCC-551) and BRP Bacolod City (LCC-550).
Millan said the SSVs are multi-role vessels and very useful for humanitarian and disaster relief missions and can be transformed to a floating government center if required. Furthermore, these vessels are critical assets for civil-military operations due to their capability of transporting large number of soldiers, logistics, and supplies.
The SSV acquisition project for the PN was initiated upon the approval of Acquisition Decision Memorandum Number 2012-060 by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin last Oct. 30, 2013.
http://www.update.ph/2016/05/brp-tarlac-now-navys-largest-vessel-in-commission/5681
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.