The Philippine Navy first-in-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) BRP Tarlac (LD-601) arrived at Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL in Surabaya for a maintenance and repair docking period.
PT PAL press release
Surabaya (17/04) — PT PAL Indonesia has once again been trusted by the Philippine Navy in its warship fleet modernization program. Amid the construction of the 3rd and 4th Landing Dock type ships owned by the Philippine Navy, PT PAL is now preparing to carry out maintenance and repair docking of the Strategic Sealift Vessel [SSV] BRP Tarlac 601.
This ship officially docked at the West Peninsula Pier, a facility of PT PAL’s Maintenance and Repair Division. The arrival of the BRP Tarlac 601 ship was welcomed by Production Director Diana Rosa and staff. This marks the immediate start of the docking of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) program, as well as the first international warship MRO project in PT PAL’s history.
Accompanying the Director of Production of PT PAL, Diana Rosa, was Lieutenant Colonel [P] Ali Sodikin, A.Md., S.E., Head of Lantamal V Shipyard, along with officials from Lantamal V and the ranks of GM of PT PAL Indonesia. In her remarks, Diana Rosa said that “we are pleased to welcome the return of BRP Tarlac 601 to PT PAL Indonesia. We are also honored to have received continuous trust from the Philippine Navy in modernizing its fleet for a long time. And the cooperation between the two countries continues to this day and is getting stronger“, said Diana Rosa.
PT PAL successfully won the open tender process for this MRO project, outperforming local shipyards from the Philippines. This victory confirms that PT PAL’s after-sales service, from construction, maintenance, to ship repairs, is recognized regionally and globally.
As the largest warship operated by the Philippine Navy since 2016, BRP Tarlac 601 is a superior export product made by the children of the Indonesian nation. In this MRO project, the main focus of the work includes the propulsion system, below-waterline maintenance, and the valve system, with a targeted work time of four months.
This collaboration is a symbol of strengthening defense relations between Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as the potential for continued cooperation on other ships, such as its sister ship, BRP Davao Del Sur 602. “As a maritime defense industry, we are committed to upholding quality and professionalism. PT PAL is proud to be able to take an important role in ensuring the readiness and reliability of the BRP Tarlac 601. This ship is not only the face of the strength of the Philippine Navy but also the result of solid technical collaboration and defense diplomacy between our two countries. We believe this collaboration will continue to grow and strengthen Southeast Asian maritime solidarity. We sincerely hope that this project will run smoothly and be a positive step towards broader and more sustainable cooperation in the future“, concluded Diana Rosa.
On that occasion, the commander of the BRP Tarlac 601 ship, Capt. Fredie C Parpan, expressed his gratitude for arriving in Surabaya safely after an 8-day journey. “We arrived safely at the PT Pal shipyard is a testament to two things, the exceptional craftsmanship of this ship, built by Indonesian hands, and the dedication of her crew who navigated her all the way back despite the need for repairs. this vessel may be due for dry docking, but she sailed with strength and reliability- sangat kuat dan andal. because she was built well. and we trust that once again, PT PAL will return this ship to peak condition, ready to serve in defense of our sovereignty and in the service of our people,” he explained.
Before closing his speech, Capt. Fredie also conveyed that there would be learning opportunities for the Philippine Navy crew at BRP Tarlac 601, “we are here for our scheduled dry docking and other related repairs. we see more than just the technical side of things. we see an opportunity, beyond restoring the material condition of the ship. it is also presents valuable avenues for learning, our personnel will have the chance to observe and engage in repair processes, broadening their technical knowledge and familiarizing themselves with international shipyard standards and practices” Fredie concluded.
Through PT PAL, Indonesia appears as a solution partner for ASEAN maritime power by becoming an inclusive, independent, and international standard defense service provider. PT PAL as a one stop solution maritime fleet, will ensure combat readiness and operational sustainability of the Philippine Navy fleet, BRP Tarlac 601.
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Naval News comments:
Naval News toured BRP Tarlac (LD-601) in September 2024. On this occasion, and during ADAS 2024, we learned that the 7,200-ton LPD (and its sistership) could receive weapon and sensor systems upgrades in the future. Yet, it appears unlikely that the first-in-class ship will be upgraded during this “scheduled dry docking” period, as the focus seems to be on the maintenance of “the propulsion system, below-waterline maintenance, and the valve system, with a targeted work time of four months.”
In June 2022, the Philippines ordered two more LPDs from Indonesia. Compared to Tarlac and Davao Del Sur, these vessels will feature several modifications, including a taller side ramp for loading vehicles and cargo. Otherwise, the vessels are one more meter longer and displace the same tonnage as the base vessels according to PT PAL.
The Indonesian shipbuilder is also building a similar LPD (but a larger variant, at 13,000+ tons and nearly one third longer compared to BRP Tarlac) for the UAE Navy. This vessel is slated to be delivered to the Emirati authorities before the end of 2027.
To date, the Indonesian Navy has commissioned five PT PAL-built LPDs and two hospital ships based on the Makassar-class design.
