The Philippine Navy (PN) on Monday said it has launched its third landing dock (LD) at the PT PAL Indonesia shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia, to boost the service’s transport and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) capabilities.

Launching refers to the nautical tradition or process of transferring a ship or vessel to the water for the first time.

The third LD has a length of 124 meters, a beam of 21.8 meters, and a displacement of 7,200 tons. It also has a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of more than 9,000 nautical miles.

It is expected to be named BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603) and is expected to be in service within the year.

In a statement, PN public affairs office chief Captain Marie Angelica DC Sisican said the landing platform dock was launched last June 30 with Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan witnessing the launching ceremony.

“Hosted by PT PAL Indonesia, the event underscored the partnership between the PN and the Indonesian shipbuilder in advancing the country’s naval capabilities,” Sisican said.

Meanwhile, the fourth LD is also expected to be launched later this year.

Sisican said the future LD is expected to significantly enhance the PN’s capability to conduct strategic sealift operations, HADR, and maritime security missions.

“Its launching reflects the PN’s continuing efforts to establish a modern and responsive fleet as it continues to invest in capabilities and strategic partnerships that enable it to better protect the nation’s sovereignty and serve the Filipino people,” she added.

The two ships are based on the PN’s two earlier Tarlac-class LDs, which were delivered and commissioned in 2016 and 2017. The PHP5.5 billion contract for LD 3 and 4 was signed in June 2022 and is part of the AFP Modernization Program Horizon 2. (PNA)