PT PAL Finishes Second Warship Ordered by The Philippines

Surabaya (Antara Bali) - State-owned shipbuilding company PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) has finished building the second warship ordered by the Philippines.

It is expected to roll out the ship from its yard in Tanjung Perak, Surabaya, East Java, on September 29.

The companys president director, M. Firmansyah Arifin, said here on Saturday (Sept. 24) that the second strategic sea lift vessel (SSV) has been readied three or four months faster than the first one which had taken two years to finish.

"The first sophisticated ship built by the Indonesian people was under the category of Lloyd Register class, and was launched on January 18, 2016. It has been named Tarlac by the Philippine government," he informed.

"Tarlac was the first warship that Indonesia exported and was part of the development of landing platform dock (LPD) designed with a length of 123 meters, a width of 21.8 meters and was capable of a speed of 16 knots. It can sail for 30 days in high seas," he elaborated.

The project leader, Turitan Indaryo, said PT PAL applied the one day one block principle, and the strategy helped finish the ship building project faster.

"This means, every day there were blocks idenitified to be finished. So, those were completed ahead of the schedule," Turitan, who is now director of planning and business development, explained.

He said the expeditiousness in completing and delivering the order has been specially noted and it has proven to be an added value that PT PAL could offer to buyers.

"The quality of the goods and the prices have been competitive, making the Indonesian products superior and capable of competing internationally," he added.

The Philippines has ordered two units of SSV-type LPD, complete with weapons for self-defense.

The SSV comes complete with three helipads and a hangar and is capable of carrying two units of landing craft utility ships plus various kinds of combat vehicles, ranging from military trucks to amphibious assault vehicles.

With a five meter draft, the SSV is able to cover shallow waters and function as a floating hospital. It can be used in search and rescue operations during a disaster. (WDY)