06 October 2016 — The second strategic sealift vessel (SSV) ordered by the Philippines from PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) was launched on September 29. The SSV was christened Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Davao del Sur (LD 602). Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Lumen B. Isleta and Department of National Defense Acting Undersecretary Ricardo A. David, Jr. led the launching ceremonies at the PT PAL shipyard facilities in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The 2nd SSV from PT PAL follows the launching and subsequent delivery of the first SSV, BRP Tarlac (LD 601), which was ordered last May.
BRP Davao del Sur will serve as a floating command and control ship for naval rescue operations and used mainly as a military sealift and transport ship.
The eventual delivery of BRP Davao del Sur to Manila is part of the two-unit SSV procurement project under the AFP Modernization Act. END
