PN's largest surface combatants identified

From the Philippine News  Agency (May 23): PN's largest surface combatants identified

With the Philippine Navy (PN) undertaking delivery of its largest warship ever, the 7,300 gross ton BRP Tarlac (LD-601) last May 16, it is also fitting that the other Filipino surface combatants be identified to the public.

This is only fitting as the PN is slated to celebrate its 118th founding anniversary this coming June 1.

BRP Tarlac is classed as a strategic sealift vessel and can be use as floating command center and for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions due to her large cargo capacity which is estimated at 2,800 gross tons.

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

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

She has overall length of 120 meters,breadth of 21 meters, draft of five meters and a maximum speed of 16 knots.

Her commissioning date is also on June 1 and delivery of her sister ship is expected on May 2017.

Previously, the largest vessels ordered by the PN are two Bacolod City class logistic vessels which weighed 4,265 tons and 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).

The latter vessels are classified as landing and transport ships.

Both vessels have a length of 83 meters, beam of 18 meters, draft of 3.7 meters and maximum speed of 12 knots.

The BRP Bacolod City class has a crew of 30 officers and enlisted personnel and has a cruising range of 8,300 nautical miles and has a cargo capacity of 2,280 gross tons.

These vessels are followed by the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar frigates (converted Hamilton-class cutters) which weighs 3,250 gross tons, has a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet.

The first ship of the class, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) arrived in December 2011 while her sister, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), was commissioned in November 2013.

Its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.

The ship has cruising range of 14,000 nautical miles and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days.

It has a complement of 167 officers and men.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=887756