Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla is scheduled to see off the maiden export of a warship made by PT PAL Indonesia at Ujung port, Surabaya, to the Philippines here Sunday.

"Jusuf Kalla is scheduled to attend the ceremony at the location of Graving Dock Semarang, Commerce Ship Division, PT PAL Indonesia along with a number of cabinet ministers and representatives from the Philippine ministry of defense tomorrow," PT PAL Indonesia Public Relations Manager, Bayu Witjaksono, said here Saturday.

The state enterprises minister Rini Sumarno would be attending along with other dignitaries that include the navy chief of staff, he said.

The Philippines has ordered two strategic sealift vessels and it is one of them that would be delivered Sunday.

The ships have developed a landing platform dock and the two are worth Rp1 trillion.

The ship, measuring 123 meters in length, 21.8 meters in width, with a speed of 16 knots, is capable of sailing for 30 days on the high seas. It was first launched by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli and defense minister Ryamizard Ryacudu in January this year.

After the final touches that include painting some parts of the ship's body it will be officially handed over to the Philippines defense ministry on Sunday and be used by them.

The second ship is expected to be delivered in September this year.

"We will roll out the second SSV ordered by the Philippines in September 2016," President Director of PT PAL Indonesia, M Firmansyah Arifin said.

The SSV is a sophisticated ship of a Lloyd Register class made by the nation and will be the first warship exported by the country, he said.

The ship is capable of carrying two helicopters and a landing craft utility as well as a number of tanks and military trucks, he said.

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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