The Philippine Navy needs three more strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) in its inventory to be a really world class naval force, says Philippine Fleet commander Rear Ronald Joseph Mercado.
He said that five SSVs are part of the Navy’s desired force-mix.
“I’m confident that the next set of defense officials, national leadership, will continue with the modernization,” Mercado said in an interview shortly after the welcoming ceremonies for BRP Tarlac, the country’s first SSV, Monday afternoon.
The country’s second SSV, which was also ordered from PT PAL (Persero), is expected to arrive by May 2017.
Mercado said the Filipino SSV was patterned after the Indonesian Makassar-class landing platform dock.
Its sister ship is expected to be delivered by May 2017.
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