Indonesian-Built Philippines Navy's Strategic Sealift Vessel To Commence Trials

The Philippine Navy’s first strategic sealift vessel (SSV) built by PT PAL Indonesia, will undergo sea trials this week.

Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna was quoted as saying by The Philippine Star Thursday that the SSV will be scheduled for an endurance run once it completes the sea trials. It is expected to arrive in the country by the third week of May.

The trial phase is done to check the performance of the machineries and equipment of the vessel, Lincuna said.

The Philippines ordered two SSVs from PT PAL for P3.87 billion which was sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization fund.

The Navy initiated the SSV acquisition project upon the approval of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in October 2013.

The SSVs will be the Navy's floating command center which will carry out their main purpose as military sealift and transport vessels. It will also be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Each ship is estimated to weigh around 7,300 gross register tons. The vessels have the capability to transport large numbers of soldiers, logistics and supplies.

The vessels also have the capacity to house three helicopters each. The Navy's Augusta Westland-109 helicopters will be on-board the vessels.

This will improve the transport capability of the Navy and strengthen the defense capabilities of the country.