We will roll out the second SSV ordered by the Philippines in September 2016."
Surabaya (ANTARA News) - Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla officially launched the first Indonesian warship export to the Philippines on Sunday.

The BRP TARLAC (LD-601) warship of the LD-601 Strategic Sealift Vessel type was the first of its kind ordered by the Philippine defense ministry.

Kalla saw off the ship at the commercial ship division pier of Tanjung Perak Port, East Java, on Sunday.

The vice president said he appreciated very much the state-owned ship-building company PT PAL for its ability to finish the construction of the fist on time.

PT PAL had to compete tightly to win the international tender for the building of the warship.

"This is something to be proud of that the Indonesian people could export a sophisticated and good ship. All this can be done with serious, focused and hard work," the vice president said.

He said that the export marked the success of PT PAL in mastering technology. PT PAL has been existing since a long time in Indonesia.

"I highly appreciate it because with the ability to build ships the countrys sea areas can be transformed into bridges to unite the nation. But for this, sea transportation means should be good and the maritime areas become the object of development," the vice president said.

He asked PT PAL to continue developing its technology by entering the world markets.

"I hope that PT PAL would be able to win the economy in the shipping world. This should be won because we cannot only beg it," the vice president said.

Earlier, PT PAL President Director Firmansyah Arifin said the first warship export attracted the attention of representatives of a number of countries, including the middle east countries.

"A number of representatives from European and Middle East countries are interested to place orders of the SSV type ship. We hope this would lift the image of Indonesia in the world," he said.

After sailing to Manila for several days, the ship is scheduled to be transferred to the Philippine ministry of defense on Friday, May 13, 2016.

The Philippines has ordered two strategic sealift vessels and it is one of them that was 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 ships 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.
(Uu.A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2016