Each warship can carry 121 crew members and 500 troops.Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - State-owned shipbuilding firm PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) exported two units of Strategic Sealift Vessel-1 (SSV) to the Defense Ministry of the Philippines.
President Director of Persero M. Firman said here on Thursday that the vessels were a challenge for the firm to produce.
"As much as US$90 million was invested to build the two warships," Firman added.
Persero was given the order after being selected from a list of international options, he stated, adding that each warship is 123 meters long and 21.8 meters wide.
"Each warship can carry 121 crew members and 500 troops," he affirmed.
The Persero president director further noted that the vessels, which have an engine capacity of 2 x 2,920 kW, can travel a distance of 9.630 nautical miles and sail for 30 days. The maximum speed they can reach is 16 knots.
"The ship has a capacity of 10,300 tons with a draft of six feet," he pointed out.
Firman also revealed that the vessels can carry four tanks, four trucks, a mobile hospital, two jeeps, and two helicopters, and can be equipped with sophisticated equipment and weaponry.
"The ship can be used to sail oceans and international waters, as well as for military operations," he said.
Moreover, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Indroyono Susilo observed that the design and technology used to develop the SSVs were adapted from those of the Landing Platform Docks (LPD) submitted by Persero to the navy in 2011.
"Two units of LPDs (KRI Banda Aceh and KRI Banjarmasin) are operated by the navy," he stated.
On the same occasion, Chief of Navy Staff of the Philippines VADM Jesus C. Millan pointed out that he expected the project to improve the countrys security defenses.
"We believe Persero can complete this order properly, considering its experience in producing such ships," he remarked.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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