Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The first of two new strategic sealift vessels (SSV) of the Philippine Navy were unveiled in a ceremony in Surabaya, Indonesia on Sunday (January 17).
In attendance were Vice Admiral Caesar C. Taccad, flag officer in command, and Defense Secretary Volatire Gazmin along with other members of the Philippine Navy, including Rear Admiral Leopoldo Alano, commander of Philippine Fleet and Commodore Rene Medina, commander of the Sealift Amphibious Force.
The Indonesian delegation was led by Ryamizard Ryacudu, Minister of Defense and PT Pal President and Director Firmansyah Arifin.
The acquisition of the SSV was made through the approval of acquisition decision memorandum No. 2013-060. The budget was sourced from the Armed Forces of the Modernization Act Trust Fund.
Given a budget of P4 billion, PT Pal Indonesia was declared as the single most calculated responsive bidder with P3.8 billion.
The SSVs will be the Navy’s floating command and control centers especially when conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
These will also be critical assets for civil-military operations.
