VP Kalla To Launch First Export of Warships

Surabaya, 29 Rajab 1437/7 May 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla is scheduled to launch the first export of warships type “Strategic Sealift Vessel” (SSV) made by PT PAL Indonesia which is ordered by the Ministry of Defence of Philippines in the Port Ujung, Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday.

“Jusuf Kalla accompanied by a number of ministers and representatives of the Ministry of Defence of Philippines is schedulled to attend the ceremonial event,” said Manager of Public Relations of PT PAL Indonesia Bayu Witjaksono Saturday.

The State-Own Enterprises Minister Rini Sumarno also schedulled to deliver a speech in the event. Antara reported quoted by MINA

Meanwhile, the total value of the project reaches Rp1 trillion of the two ships ordered, type Landing Platform Dock (LPD).

Previously, the ship designed with length 123 meters, and 21.8 meters wide has a speed 16 knots with endurance sailing for 30 days on the high seas has been launched by the Coordinating Maritime Minister Rizal Ramli and the Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu in January 2016.

The second order by Philipine government is scheduled to officially launch in September 2016. Now it is in the process of mounting blocks of the ship.

“Next September, we will launch a second booking for SSV Philippines, and is now being mounting the blocks of the ship,” said the President Director of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) M Firmansyah Arifin.

Arifin explained the SSV is an advanced ship originally created by  Indonesians. The ship is the first warship successfully exported by Indonesia.

SSV also capable of carrying two helicopters, a “landing craft utility” (LCU) and a number of tank warfare to military trucks.(LP/R03/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)