The Philippine national government already inked a deal with Indonesian ship-builder PT PAL for the construction of the P4-Billion Strategic Sealift Vessel to be used by the Philippine Navy, as part of the country’s modernization program of the Armed Forces.
Watch the Specifications of the SSV Made by Indonesia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXc5NA4irVk
The Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL, one of the largest and most reliable shipbuilding company in Southeast Asia, confirmed on Friday, July 18, 2014, that the company already signed the contract to supply a total of two strategic sealift vessels (SSV) to the Philippine Navy.
According to PT PAL executive Edy Andardo who told the British defense publication (IHS Jane’s) that Philippine government has granted a $92 million contract for the vessels, to be delivered by the company starting next year.
The strategic sealift vessels, also known as landing platform docks, which will serve the Philippine Navy, can be used for civil-military operations and for transporting large number of soldiers, logistics and supplies. The two-ordered vessels of the Philippine Navy can also accommodate three helicopters each.
Before the confirmation of Indonesia’s bid to build the SSV for the Philippine Navy, a total of nine companies bought bid documents for the project but only two submitted their offers. The other bidder includes, Daewoo International Corp. (South Korea); Larsen and Toubro (India); Stone of David Tactical Equipment Co.; STX Off-Shore Shipbuilding Co. (Korea); Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc.; PT Citra Shipyard and a joint venture between Astartez Defense and Rescue Solution Co. and Coastal Industries PTE Ltd.
According to the Philippines Bids and Awards Committee chairman Efren Fernandez, the Indonesian shipbuilding company PT PAL Indonesia was lone eligible bidder with a bid price offer of P3,863,999,520.
The ship which will be used by the Philippine Navy is designed to transport a battalion or 500 soldiers as well as logistics. It must be equipped with a helipad and medical facility for disaster response, according to the documents released to the media.
