BRP Tarlac leaves for Russia Friday

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 20): BRP Tarlac leaves for Russia Friday

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday will conduct a send-off ceremony for the 440-man contingent aboard strategic sealift vessel BRP Tarlac (LD-601) which is scheduled for a port visit to Russian Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok, Russia.

Send-off ceremonies will take place 7 a.m. at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor, Navy spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said in a statement Thursday.

Aside from the Russian port visit, BRP Tarlac and all naval personnel, including a helicopter detachment afloat, will also participate to the International Fleet Review from in South Korea.
"This is the first time that a Philippine Navy contingent will visit the Russian Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok and likewise its first time to participate in the International Fleet Review in Jeju, South Korea," Zata added.

The port visit aims to strengthen cooperation and relationship with regional counterparts in addressing common maritime challenges.

Zata earlier said the voyage from the Philippines to Vladivostok, Russia will take " eight to 10 days."

He added that BRP Tarlac's port visit will last five days.

The scheduled PN portcall is in reciprocation of the visit of Russian warships in Manila last June and those of last year, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said.

The Tarlac-class SSVs are the largest PN ships in service as of this posting and consists of the BRP Tarlac and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602).

These vessels have an overall length of 120 meters,breadth of 21 meters, draft of five meters and can carry a payload of 2,800 tons.

Both have a cruising speed of 13 knots and maximum speed of 16 knots and a minimum operating range of 7,500 nautical miles.

Both SSVs can carry 500 troops, two rigid-hull inflatable boats, two landing craft units and three helicopters.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048576