NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Manila – The acquisition of the two additional, brand-new landing docks (LD) for the Philippine Navy (PN) has entered a significant phase following the keel laying and first steel cutting ceremonies on Monday, January 22 at the shipbuilding facilities of PT Pal Indonesia in Surabaya.

PN Vice Commander, Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, along with PH Ambassador to Indonesia, Hon. Gina Jamoralin, headlined the Philippine delegation in witnessing the laying of the keel for PN’s third LD which signaled the official start of the ship’s construction. It is considered as another significant milestone in shipbuilding following its steel cutting held in August 2023.

During the same event, the first steel cutting ceremony was conducted for the PN’s fourth LD, marking the first tangible step in the shipbuilding process.

These two vessels will be identical to the PN’s Tarlac-class landing docks -- the BRP Tarlac (LD601) and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD602), which are derivative of the Makassar-class landing platform dock of the Indonesian Navy. The acquisition of two additional LDs is part of the Landing Dock Acquisition Project (LDAP) for the Philippine Navy with an approved budget of Php5.5 billion that also includes mission-essential equipment.

This acquisition is expected to significantly boost the strategic sealift capability of the PN and enhance the capacity of its personnel primarily in the conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations.

Being the primary maritime force of the country, the entry of these new LDs to PN inventory will enable a more effective and efficient fulfillment of its mandate.

PUBLISHED BY:    Naval Public Affairs Office (NPAO) CAPT BENJO F NEGRANZA PN(GSC) Director, Naval Public Affairs Office