Indonesian-made ship is newest addition to Philippine Navy

The new Landing Dock Davao Del Sur arrives at Pier 13, South Harbor, Manila after its four day voyage from Surabaya, Indonesia. It will serves as a floating command and control during humanitarian assistance and disasrer response operations and will also serve as a military sealift and transport vessel. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines  — The Philippine Navy has welcomed a second Indonesian-made amphibious landing dock as part of the military’s modernization program.

The new ship named BRP Davao del Sur arrived at Manila’s South Harbor on Wednesday to a ceremony led by Rear Adm. Gaudencio Collado Jr., commander of the Philippine Fleet.

Navy spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna said the delivery completes a 3.8 billion peso ($76 million) procurement of two such vessels from Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia.

The ship sailed from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, with 120 Filipino sailors and a 10-man Indonesian delivery crew.

The first Indonesian-made ship has already taken part in missions in the Philippines.