Indonesia to Deliver Second Military Vessel to the Philippines: Defense Minister
Jakarta. Indonesian ship builder PAL will continue to export military vessels to the Philippines, with a Tarlac class strategic sealift vessel, or SSV, expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, accompanied by Philippine Undersecretary for Defense Ricardo David Jr and PAL director Budiman Saleh, officiated at the sending-off ceremony of the vessel at the PAL facility in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday (02/05).
Ryamizard said vessels purchased by the Philippine Department of National Defense will support growing economic partnerships between the two countries.
"It is a matter of economy [...] which is getting stronger with the Philippines," Ryamizard said.
He said PAL's business ties with the Philippine government has served to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
"We should hope to strengthen relationships with people. I said [to the Philippines government], 'instead of buying the ship elsewhere, might as well buy it from us,' because [the vessel] is of good quality and if anything's broken, we will fix it," Ryamizard added.
The 123-meter-long and 21-meter-wide vessel has a capability to carry up to 621 personnel.
The vessel can cruise at a maximum speed of 16 knots and transport cargo weighing 7,000 tons. SSVs are typically used to transport tanks, military vehicles and patrol boats.
Another vessel PAL delivered to the Philippines in May last year has since been used by that country's military for sea patrols and peacekeeping efforts in its territorial waters.
Tags: Keywords: