PT PAL Indonesia Holds Keel-Laying, Steel Cutting Ceremonies for Modified Filipino Landing Docks

PT PAL, the Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder, carried out the keel-laying ceremony for the third landing platform dock (LPD)-like strategic sealift vessel (SSV) designated for the Philippine Navy.

The event occurred on January 22 at PT PAL's Surabaya shipbuilding facility.

This development follows a steel-cutting ceremony for the fourth ship, continuing PT PAL's commitment to fulfilling the contract with the Philippine Navy. The keel-laying ceremony is a traditional maritime practice signifying the formal commencement of a ship's construction.

In June 2022, Manila and PT PAL signed a follow-on contract for two additional SSVs. This contract serves as a continuation of the 2014 $92 million agreement, which resulted in the delivery of the Tarlac-class vessels, BRP Tarlac (commissioned in June 2016) and BRP Davao del Sur (inducted in May 2017).

PT PAL CEO Kaharuddin Djenod said, “Following our success in previous orders in 2015 and 2017, namely BRP Tarlac-601 and BRP Davao Del Sur-602, PT PAL is committed to maintaining trust, quality and providing the best results in the construction of 2 (two) Landing units This Philippine Dock.”

The Tarlac-class vessels are derived from the design of the 122–125 m multirole vessels currently in use by the Indonesian Navy, based on a design from South Korean company Dae Sun Shipbuilding.

The third and fourth SSVs, as specified in the recent contract, will feature a slightly increased overall length of 124 m compared to the 123 m of their predecessors. Construction of the third vessel commenced in August 2023 with the steel-cutting ceremony, held also in Surabaya.

With a standard load displacement of approximately 7,200 tonnes, the SSVs are expected to have an endurance of around 30 days with a standard crew complement, according to information provided by PT PAL. The shipbuilder has not disclosed specific details regarding modifications leading to the increased overall length of the latest SSVs.

Two LPDs, each measuring 124m x 21.8m with a 7,200-ton displacement, boast a max speed of 16 knots and a range of 9,360 nautical miles. Designed for a 30-day operational endurance, they can accommodate up to 680 people. Capable of transporting three helicopters, two LCUs, two RIBs, and two small boats, these vessels excel in various military and non-military operations such as amphibious landings, naval support, evacuations, humanitarian aid, and disaster response.