Armed AW-109Es Commissioned; 2 Australian Donated LCHs Blessed

10 Agustus 2015

 PN AW-109E Power (photo : PN)

MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) formally commissioned into service its two armed AgustaWestland AW-109E "Power" helicopters in simple ceremonies at Naval Station Jose Andrada, on Roxas Boulevard, Manila Monday.

The helicopters are armed with .50 caliber machinegun pods and 2.75 inch rocket launchers.

Cmdr. Lued Lincuna, PN public affairs office chief, said that armed AW-109Es are also equipped with maritime air surveillance capability, amphibious air support operations and weather search radar and forward looking infrared systems that enhances the Navy's maritime air surveillance and close air support for ground troops.

The 8 a.m. commissioning ceremonies were spearheaded by outgoing PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan.

The last two AW-109E airframes arrived in the Philippines last December.

This is part of the five-helicopter deal, worth Php1.33-billion, signed by the Philippines with AgustaWestland early 2013.

Three of the AW-109s were delivered and commissioned in Dec. 22, 2013.

PN kanding Craft Heavy (photo : PN)

Millan said the acquisition of the armed AW-109Es are part of the PN's efforts in developing a robust island defense force and becoming an effective instrument of national development.

Meanwhile, the two Australian-donated landing craft heavies (LCHs) were also blessed Monday.

The two LCHs vessels were christened as BRP Ivatan (AT-298) and BRP Batak (AT-299) to preserve the distinctiveness of the two ethnic groups of Palawan and Batanes.

These ships were donated by the Australian government last January. They arrived in Sangley Point, Cavite last Aug. 7.

Milan said the addition of these vessels translates into the boosting of the capability of the PN to transport personnel, equipment and aid during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. They will also be useful in transporting troops from one operational area to another. 

(PNA)

Two Navy Vessels Arriving Next Week from Australia: Three More to be Procured

28 Juli 2015

BRP Ivatan (AT298) and BRP Batak (AT299) will arrive next week (photo : snipview)

The Philippine government will purchase remaining three decommissioned Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels from the Australian government. This was confirmed by President Benigno S. Aquino III in his sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA) July 27 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

“We plan on buying three more, once all the paperwork has been put in order, the processes to procure them will begin,” Aquino said in Filipino. The said vessels are part of five recently decommissioned Australian Balikpapan-class LCVs. Two were donated to Philippine Navy and are expected to arrive next week.

“By next week, two Landing Craft Heavy will arrive from Australia,” the President said.

He added that the turnover of these vessels was very generous. “They even came with spare parts and generators.”

“These vessels will reduce our dependence on the kindness of other nations; we will be able to accelerate delivery to different parts of the Philippines, and more promptly send aid, supplies, and other heavy equipment such as bulldozers, which are needed for clearing and relief operations,” Aquino said.

The Department of National Defense previously said remaining three Australian LCHs will be procured at a giveaway price of PhP726 million.

(AngMalaya)

Philippines Navy Commissions 2 Landing Craft Heavy Ships from Australia

23 Juli 2015

One of the ships will be named BRP Ivatan after an indigenous group in Batanes while the other will be called BRP Batak after a tribe in Palawan. (photo : PN)

MANILA, Philippines — The Navy on Thursday commissioned into service the two ships donated by Australia in a development seen to boost the Philippines's disaster response capabilities.

The two Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels were formally handed over to the Philippines in a ceremony held in Cairns, Australia, Navy public affairs chief Commander Lued Lincuna said.

A memorandum of understanding transferring the two ships to the Philippines was signed by Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan and Royal Australian Navy chief Vice Adm. Tim Barret.

The LCH vessels are expected to arrive in the Philippines in the first week of August.

In his acceptance speech, Millan thanked the Australian Navy for donating the ships to the Philippine military, one of the weakest in the region.

The two LCH vessels are expected to enhance the Philippines's capability to transport personnel, equipment and aid during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

"The vessels will also be useful in transporting troops from one operational area to another,” Lincuna said.

The two ships will be named after indigenous tribes of the Philippines. It is a tradition of the Navy to name landing craft ships after tribes.

One of the ships will be named BRP Ivatan after an indigenous group in Batanes while the other will be called BRP Batak after a tribe in Palawan. The two former vessels of the Royal Australian Navy used to be known as HMAS Tarakan and Brunei.

In an earlier interview, Millan said the Navy has five LCH in its inventory but only three of them are operational.

The Australian government announced its plan to provide the two transport ships to the Philippines in January. The donation will include a package of spare parts, according to the Australian defense ministry.

The two vessels were turned over to the Philippine Navy after being refurbished with new safety and navigation equipment.

The vessels were decommissioned from Australian service at a ceremony in Cairns on Nov. 19, 2014.

The Australian Embassy previously said the lack of sealift capability hampered efforts to help Philippine coastal areas hit by typhoon "Yolanda" (international name "Haiyan") in 2013.

The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to disasters because of its location. About 20 typhoons, five to seven of which are destructive, enter the country every year.

(PhilStar)

BRP Sierra Madre Undergoes 'Minor Repairs'

15 Juli 2015

BRP Sierra Madre LT-57 (photo : smartage)

MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday admitted that "minor repairs" are now being conducted to the rust-streaked and dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57), Philippine ship that ran aground on Ayungin Shoal since 1999.

"By conducting minor repairs in the vessel, the Philippine Navy merely ensures that the men the renowned media firm described as '...troops staying there struggling to survive extreme mental and physical desolation,' would not be neglected," PN spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

However, he did not specify the repairs made to the ship.

BRP Sierra Madre is the Navy transport serving as the Philippine outpost off the Spratly Islands.

It is located atop Ayungin Shoal(known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal). It is a commissioned vessel with personnel on board. It behooves the Philippine Navy to ensure the ship's habitability and safety.

"The decrepit condition of the ship is no secret. Such sorry state has gained notoriety when it was reported by an international print media," he said.

Arevalo added that PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan prioritizes the welfare of personnel assigned in the front lines.

"Be it ships in distant Kalayaan Island Group or the Marines in the jungles of Sulu, Basilan, and Central Mindanao-- are attended to does not violate any law or convention. It conforms to internationally accepted principles of human rights," he added.

"Just as the Philippine Navy is morally and duty bound to resupply its personnel with food, water, medicines, and other basic necessities, it is incumbent upon the navy leadership to ensure that the minimum survivable condition of the ship is accorded to its personnel on board," Arevalo further said.

Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez vehemently denied earlier reports claiming that the Philippines was using cement to reinforce the foundations of the rusted transport.

"We are not doing any construction or anything. We are merely improving the accommodations of our people deployed there," Lopez said in Filipino.

"We are just maintaining (the ship) to give better accommodations to our troops," he added.

The Western Command chief also stressed that the Philippines' arbitration case would weaken should the country engage in construction activities in the disputed area.

The "BRP Sierra Madre" ran aground in 1999 and was eventually used by the Philippines as an outpost to assert sovereignty in the area. 

(PNA)

Two LCHs to (be) Immediately Commissioned into PN Service

04 Juli 2015

HMAS Brunei L-127 and HMAS Tarakan L-129 (photo : Aus DoD)

Manila (PNA) - The Philippine Navy (PN) expects the arrival in the country of two Australian donated ships late this month.

Upon arrival, the two LCHs (landing craft heavy) will be immediately commissioned into Philippine Navy (PN) service, according to PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna said.

This is because the two Australian donated ships are operational and will leave Cairns under their own power, Lincuna said.

"They are operational and will require no refurbishment upon arrival in the Philippines," he added.

The PN operates around five LCUs in its fleet.

The two LCHs are expected to arrive in the Philippines by the last week of July or first week of August at the latest.

Lincuna said that this timetable was dependent on weather conditions considering that July and August were the usual typhoon months in the country.

He added that an initial sailing crew of 10 PN personnel had already departed for Cairns last June 29.

These men will compose the initial training and logistic crews of the two ships. Another 20 Navy personnel are expected to leave for Australia anytime this month to join the first group.

These LCHs are named the HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Brunei in the Royal Australian Navy service.

The two LCHs were decommissioned from Australian service at a ceremony in Cairns last Nov. 19, 2014.

LCHs are an extremely versatile vessel, capable of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment from larger ships to shore.

A very shallow draft (two meters) allows these ships to deliver personnel and equipment to areas otherwise unreachable especially during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations (HADR).

It is an all-welded twin-screw vessel, able to trans-ship cargo and supplies from ships lying offshore to water terminals or across the beach.

Maximum cargo load is governed by the load-fuel balance and varies between 140 and 180 tons.

A typical load of 175 ton gives the LCHs a range of 1,300 nautical miles, increasing to 2,280 nautical miles for a load of 150 tons.

Up to five shipping containers with HADR supplies and equipment can also be loaded in an LCH.

An LCHs is 44.5 meters long and have a draft of two meters, beam of 10.1 meters and displacement of 364 tons.

It has a speed of 10 to 13 knots and a range of 3,000 nautical miles and a crew of 15.

(PNA)

Korea-Donated Transport Ship Being Refurbished

03 Juli 2015

The LCU was arrived last May 30 and now undergoing repair in Cavite, Philippines (photo : maxdefence)

A TRANSPORT ship that is expected to boost the Navy’s troop and cargo delivery capability has arrived from South Korea and is now undergoing repair at a shipyard in Cavite, Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan said yesterday.

The landing craft utility (LCU), with 16 rubber boats, was donated by South Korea. It arrived last May 30. The military spent P16 million to bring the LCU from Korea to the Philippines. 

Millan also said the ship has to undergo “machinery and equipment repair” which will cost about P26 million. A new LCU costs around P6 billion.

He said the donated LCU is relatively newer to the ones being used by the Navy, which date back to the 70s.

“It has better capability because it’s a newer model…It will help in our HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) capability, troop and cargo capability,” Millan said.

The Navy has five LCUs in its inventory, although only three of them are operational.

South Korea, through   Korea Aerospace Industries, will also supply 12 FA-50 fighter jets being acquired by the government for P18.9 billion. Two of the aircraft are due for delivery later this year.

(Malaya)

‘Pinmarine’ Pindad Dukung KRI Teluk Bintuni TNI AL

20 Juni 2015

Cargo Hose Handling Cranes Pinmarine dirancang untuk kapasitas sampai 15 ton dengan panjang 15 meter dengan struktur terbuat dari konstruksi baja yang kokoh dan bersertifikat sehingga kuat untuk dudukan dan pengelasan pada struktur kapal, bush terbuat dari bronze dengan mengacu kepada standar nasional (BKI) dan standar internasional (IACS member). Crane dapat dioperasikan secara simultan dua atau beberapa gerakan disertai sistem emergency  sebagai pengaman, selain itu dapat dioperasikan secara manual (Emergency Hand Pump) untuk melepas rem pada winch dan slewing (photos : Pindad)

BANDUNG - PT Pindad (Persero) turut mendukung performa Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI AL) lewat produk industrialnya. Produk Alat Peralatan Kapal Laut (APKL) dari Divisi Mesin Industrial yang diberi label ‘Pinmarine’ melengkapi keperkasaan kapal perang jenis landing ship tank (LST) KRI Teluk Bintuni-520 milik TNI AL lewat acara penyerahan kepada Menteri Pertahanan Ryamizard Ryacudu pada hari Rabu, 17 Juni 2015 di dermaga PT Daya Radar Utama (DRU), Lampung.

“Kepercayaan pihak DRU dan TNI AL bagi produk APKL kami merupakan pertanda baik keberpihakan Pemerintah kepada industri dalam negeri sudah terlihat. Secara bisnis, hal ini merupakan hal yang membanggakan bagi kami, karena produk industrial perusahaan pun, kini dipercaya untuk digunakan, tidak terbatas produk pertahanan dan keamanan saja,” tutur Direktur Operasional Produk Industrial PT Pindad, Wahyu Utomo.

KRI Teluk Biruni-520 produksi PT DRU mempunyai bobot 2.300 ton, dengan panjang 120 meter, lebar 18 meter, serta tinggi 11 meter. KRI Teluk Bintuni dirancang sesuai tugas yang diembannya, yaitu mampu membawa 10 unit main battle tank (MBT) Leopard milik TNI Angkatan Darat yang berbobot mencapai 62,5 ton. Produk-produk ‘Pinmarine’ seperti combination windlass, snatch winch, turntable, cargo hose crane, dan manual slewing crane dipasang untuk memenuhi tuntutan tugas tersebut. “Dari beberapa produk ‘Pinmarine’, snatch winch dan turntable kami rancang khusus dengan kapasitas hingga 90 ton. Ini merupakan kapasitas tertinggi yang kami rancang, untuk memenuhi tuntutan tugas KRI Teluk Biruni,” tambah Wahyu.

Menteri Pertahanan Ryamizard Ryacudu menyatakan bahwa terciptanya KRI Biruni merupakan wujud nyata bagaimana industri dalam negeri tidak kalah dengan industri luar negeri untuk menciptakan kapal perang. “Ini semua merupakan wujud kepercayaan pemerintah terhadap kalangan industri dalam negeri yang kualitas sumberdayanya tidak kalah oleh kalangan industri luar negeri,” ujarnya.

Selain itu, terwujudnya KRI Biruni merupakan salah satu langkah nyata untuk mendukung Indonesia sebagai salah satu negara maritim yang disegani. “Pembangunan kapal perang KRI Biruni merupakan bagian dari pembangunan kekuatan pertahanan nasional, guna mendukung program pemerintah sebagai poros maritim dunia,” lanjut Ryamizard.

Pembangunan dunia maritim Indonesia merupakan salah satu program pemerintah saat ini. Peluang untuk produk-produk ‘Pinmarine’ diharapkan akan mendapatkan peluang yang baik untuk berkembang. “Kontribusi PT Pindad terhadap dunia maritim Indonesia sudah cukup membanggakan. Dengan program pemerintah untuk menjadikan Indonesia sebagai poros maritim dunia, maka peluang untuk produk ‘Pinmarine’ diharapkan akan tercipta. Manajemen akan mendukung penuh usaha Divisi untuk mengeksekusi peluang tersebut dan menjadikannya masukan yang berharga untuk perusahaan,” tutup Wahyu.

(BUMN)

Menteri Pertahanan Terima Penyerahan Kapal Perang KRI Teluk Bintuni-520

18 Juni 2015

KRI Teluk Bintuni 520 (photos : Frans Tedjakusuma< Daya radar Utama)

BANDAR LAMPUNG -- PT Daya Radar Utama (DRU) menyerahkan kapal perang jenis landing ship tank (LST) yang diberi nama KRI Teluk Bintuni-520 (KRI TBN-520) kepada Menteri Pertahanan (Menhan) Ryamizard Ryacudu di dermaga PT DRU, Lampung, Rabu (17/6/2015).

Penyerahan diterima langsung Menhan disaksikan Gubernur Lampung M Ridho Ficardo, serta Kapolda Lampung Brigjen Edwarsyah Pernong. Direktur Utama PT Daya Radar Utama Amir Gunawan, dalam sambutannya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Menteri Pertahanan telah memberikan kepercayaan untuk membuat kapal perang yang difungsikan untuk menjaga wilayah pertahanan NKRI.

Amir berharap kapal tersebut dapat bermanfaat untuk menjaga wilayah pertahanan NKRI. Dia mengaku bangga telah dipercaya membuat kapal dan kapal tersebut merupakan hasil karya anak bangsa yang dalam pembuatannya diawasi langsung satgas TNI AL.

Gubernur Lampung, M Ridho Ficardo dalam sambutannya menyampaikan kebanggaan terhadap anak-anak Lampung yang mampu mengemban tugas membuat kapal tersebut dengan baik. Ridho berharap ke depan anak-anak Lampung ke depannya bisa kembali dipercaya membuat kapal-kapal seperti itu. Selain itu, Gubernur juga mengatakan memiliki rencana pembangunan perluasan maritim di wilayah Tanggamus guna memperkuat daerah pertahanan maritie sesuai dengan program Presiden terkait kemaritiman.

Sementara itu, Menteri Pertahanan Ryamizard Ryacudu dalam sambutannya mengatakan merupakan wujud nyata kapal tersebut siap beroperasi. Pembangunan kapal perang tersebut merupakan bagian dari pembangunan kekuatan pertahanan. Guna mendukung program pemerintah sebagai poros maritim dunia.

Selain itu, akan menjadi catatan tambahan penilaian kekuatan TNI. Sebelumnya, kata dia, Indonesia berada di urutan ke-19 dunia untuk kekuatan militer. Setelah diadakan upgrade pada April 2015 lalu, kini Indonesia naik menjadi urutan ke-12 dari 126 negara untuk kekuatan militernya. Terkait pemberian nama kapal perang tersebut, kata dia, berlatar belakang dari salah satu teluk di Irianjaya yang kaya sumber daya alam mineral maupun kehutanan. Ryamizard Ryacdu berharap kapal ini mampu mendukung kegiatan TNI menjaga kedaulatan laut NKRI.

Seperti diketahui, diterimanya kapal perang jenis landing ship tank (LST) produksi dalam negeri ini, kekuatan alutsista TNI makin bertambah. Penyerahan kapal tersebut berturut-turut dari PT Daya Radar Utama kepada Menteri Pertahanan RI, kemudian diserahkan kepada Panglima TNI. Selanjutnya Panglima TNI menyerahkan kepada Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut (KSAL). Sebagai jajaran satuan pengguna kapal tersebut, Panglima Komando Lintas Laut Militer akan menerima kapal tersebut dari KSAL.

KRI Teluk Bintuni-520 produksi PT Daya Radar Utama Lampung ini merupakan jenis landing ship tank (LST) terbesar yang kini dimiliki TNI AL dengan bobot 2.300 ton. Sebagai perbandingan, kapal jenis LST yang telah dimiliki TNI AL, yaitu produksi galangan Tacoma, Amerika Serikat dengan bobot mati 1.800 ton. Dan yang lebih kecil lagi dengan bobot 1.530 ton produksi Jerman Timur, LST jenis Frosch Class.

Berbobot 2.300 ton, dengan panjang 120 meter, lebar 18 meter, serta tinggi 11 meter, KRI Teluk Bintuni-520 menyesuaikan tugas yang diembannya. Kapal ini dirancang agar mampu membawa 10 unit main battle tank (MBT) Leopard milik TNI Angkatan Darat yang bebobot mencapai 62,5 ton. Selain itu kapal yang sudah dilengkapi dua helipad fasilitas hanggar ini masih mampu membawa 2 unit helikopter.

Kapal yang memiliki kecepatan maksimal 16 knots, minimal 14 knots, kecepatan jelajah 15 knots, ini dipersenjatai Bofors kaliber 40/L70 mm. Selain itu diperkuat dengan canon PSU kaliber 20 mm, serta dua unit senapan mesin berat (SMB) kaliber 12,7 mm. Selain itu kapal ini dilengkapi main engine 2 x 3285 kw yang ditenagai dua mesin pokok, dua propeller lima daun, kapasitas tangki BBM 747,7 ton. Meski demikian, dalam operasi tempur kapal dengan tugas sebagai pengangkut pasukan, material, dan tank ini harus mendapat kawalan dari kapal kapal jenis kombatan dari satuan kapal eskorta atau satuan kapal cepat.

Selain membawa 111 ABK, kapal ini mampu membawa pasukan sebanyak 359 orang. Bahkan mampu membawa pasukan TNI dari satu tempat ke tempat operasi lain dalam jumlah besar. Selain itu, kapal dilengkapi crane di bagian anjungan depan untuk mempermudah loading logistik dan kargo.

(LamPost)

Besok, Menhan Pimpin Serah Terima KRI Teluk Bintuni di Panjang

16 Juni 2015

KRI Teluk Bintuni 520, Kapal jenis Landing Ship Tank terbesar yang dimiliki TNI AL saat ini (photos : Kaskus Militer)

Harianlampung.com - Menteri Pertahanan Ryamizard Ryacudu, besok, Selasa (16/6), memimpin serah terima kapal perang KRI Teluk Bintuni 520 kepada Panglima TNI Jenderal Moeldoko, dan selanjutnya diserahkan kepada Kasal Laksamana TNI Ade Supandi.

Acara itu berlangsung di  PT Daya Radar Utama Shipyard and Engineering (PT DRU) yang terletak di Jl Alamsyah Ratu Prawiranegara, Km 12 Srengsem, Panjang, Bandarlampung. 

Kapenrem Korem 043 Gatam Mayor Inf, CH Prabowo, kepada harianlampung.com, mengatakan, Senin (15/6), Menhan mengunjungi PT DRU selaku perusahaan pemenang tender di Kementerian Pertahanan dan Keamanan (Kemenhankam). 

Perusahaan ini memenangkan kontrak pengerjaan pembangunan KRI Teluk Bintuni yang dikerjakan sejak Juli 2013 lalu.

Dikutip dari keterangan resmi Dinas Penerangan TNI AL, KRI Teluk Bintuni 520 merupakan kapal angkut tank yang dibikin oleh industri dalam negeri.

Kapal ini didesain mampu membawa 10 unit Main Battle Tank Leopard milik TNI AD yang direncanakan tampil pada gelar alat utama sistem persenjataan (alutsista) TNI AL pada HUT ke-69 TNI di Surabaya 7 Oktober mendatang.

Tank Leopard 2A4 milik TNI AD memiliki bobot 62,5 ton. Kapal-kapal TNI AL sebelumnya hanya mampu membawa tank ringan dengan berat per tank hanya belasan ton.

KRI Teluk Bintuni-520 juga masih bisa membawa dua helikopter, dan dilengkapi satu helipad dengan fasilitas hangar.

Kapal ini mempunyai panjang 120 meter, lebar 18 meter, dengan tinggi 11 meter. Kecepatannya maksimal 16 knot, dengan dua mesin utama berkapasitas 3.285 kw.

KRI Teluk Bintuni terdiri dari tujuh lantai yang letaknya secara berurutan dimulai dari bawah, yakni Deck A merupakan ruang untuk tangki dan ruang pasukan. Paling bawah Bottom Deck yang menjadi ruang khusus mesin kapal, dan Deck B untuk pasukan.

Lalu, Deck C untuk kru kapal termasuk tempat tidur dan peralatan keseharian kru kapal. Deck D juga untuk kru kapal, serta Deck E untuk komandan kapal dan para perwira.

Kemudian, Deck F untuk ruang komando, dan terakhir Deck G alias top deck atau compas deck digunakan untuk meletakkan dua radar utama.

Persenjataan yang dimiliki KRI Teluk Bintuni-520 diproyeksikan untuk pertahanan diri dengan mengandalkan meriam bofors kaliber 40/L70 mm yang ditempatkan pada bagian haluan. Kemudian ada canon PSU kaliber 20 mm, serta dua unit mitraliur kaliber 12,7 mm.

(Harian Lampung)

NAVANTIA Launches the Last Fast Landing Craft for Australia

29 April 2015

Totally Australia has received twelve LLC from Navantia (photo : Navantia)

Navantia has launched on 27th. April 2015 the twelfth and last LLC fast landing craft being built for the Royal Australian Navy. The design of these ships is based in the fast landing crafts built also by Navantia for the Spanish Navy between 2006 and 2008.

The contract for the construction of the series of 12 LLC was signed in September 2011 and the works have been executed in the Bay of Cádiz. The landing crafts are destined to operate with the ALHD “Canberra” and ALHD “Adelaide”, strategic projection ships, similar to LHD ”Juan Carlos I”, also built by Navantia in cooperation with BAE Systems. It is scheduled all the ships are delivered on summer 2015.

The main characteristics of the ships are:

-Lenght overall: 23.30 m.
-Floatation lenght: 21.27 m.
-Width: 6.40 m.
-Depth: 2.80 m.
-Propulsion: two 809 kW diesel engines, two waterjets propellers
-Speed: more than 20 knots
-Autonomy: 190 miles at full load
-Loading capacity flexibility: Abrams vehicle, several Army vehicles, fusiliers’ company or 20 feet container truck. 

Australia is a strategic country for Navantia and has opened a subsidiary, Navantia Australia in order to cooperate with the Australian Government in future options for its Navy. Recently, it has won several important contracts for the life cycle support of the ships and for the adaptation of Australian requirements to the Navantia designs.

(Navantia)

SoKor-Donated Landing Craft Unit to be Delivered this Year

17 April 2015

ROKN LCU (photo : KDN)

MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that the landing craft unit (LCU), donated by the South Korean government for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, will be arriving this year.

This was disclosed by PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA.

The LCU (donated by South Korea) is being targeted for delivery thru commercial shipping by this year," he added.

The craft was donated to the Philippines in June last year by the South Korean government.

Upon arrival, the LCU will be assigned to the PN's Service Force. LCUs are used to ferry troops and other equipment to areas larger ships, by course of their large draft, are unable to dock.

The PN currently operates two LCUs.

(PNA)

Landing Craft Get New Home

16 Maret 2015

HMAS Brunei conducts her last ever beaching at Sabina Point, North Queensland while Clearance Divers unload equipment from the open bow door. (photo : RAN)

The Philippine Navy will be better prepared for natural disasters when they receive two decommissioned landing craft from Australia in May.

A lack of sealift ability hampered the Philippine Navy’s relief efforts to assist coastal areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.

The former HMA Ships Brunei and Tarakan will be commissioned into the Philippine Navy to provide additional intra-theatre sealift capability.

Brunei’s last Executive Officer, Lieutenant Brenton-James Glover, said he was excited about the ships being given another opportunity to provide a much-needed service.

“They were certainly the work horses of the Royal Australian Navy and I am sure they will provide just as much service to the Philippine Navy,” he said.

“They were not the best looking or most comfortable ships, however, they could always be called upon when needed.

“The Balikpapan class is an excellent capability for amphibious operations as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

“For the Philippine Navy to have this capability in their fleet to assist with disaster relief will prove vital in this unpredictable climate.”

Brunei and Tarakan will be handed over in May after being refurbished with new safety and navigation equipment.

The Philippine government is also considering whether to purchase the remaining three Australian landing craft, former Wewak, Betano and Balikpapan, which were decommissioned in 2012.

The craft are not the first Navy ships gifted to the Philippine Navy.

Australia gifted four Second World War-era motor launches, ML1323, ML1326, ML1328 and ML1329, to the Philippine Navy in August 1958.

At the Philippine Navy’s request, the four launches were given the Aboriginal names Yindi (sun), Yarraman (horse), Yacki (celebration) and Yanga (fish).

(RAN)