LOOK: PH Navy’s first strategic sealift vessel

Philippine Navy’s first strategic sealift vessel PHOTO/Philippine Navy

The Philippine Navy’s first strategic sealift vessel aimed to boost the military’s naval capabilities, was launched at the PT Pal shipyard in Indonesia on Sunday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Navy chief Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad led the Philippine delegation at the launching in Surabaya, Indonesia.

The Indonesian delegation was led by Ryamizard Ryacudo and PT PAL President Firmanshay Arifin.

The term “launching” means a ship is put into the water for the first time from the dry dock. It will undergo a series of tests before it is delivered to the buyer.

The Philippine delegation at the launching of the Navy’s first strategic vessel in Indonesia. PHOTO/Philippine Navy

The first SSV is scheduled to be delivered in May and will be the Philippine Navy’s biggest ship.

In the same ceremony, the keel laying or the formal start of construction of the second SSV was also held. It is expected to be delivered in 2017.

PHILIPPINE NAVY PHOTO

PHILIPPINE NAVY PHOTO

PHILIPPINE NAVY PHOTO

The two ships ordered from Indonesia in 2014 are worth P3.8 billion and were sourced from the AFP modernization program.

The ship can hold about 500 soldiers and logistics; and at the same time bring supply in areas that may be hit by disasters. It can also house two helicopters.

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