BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602)

This is the second Tarlac-class Landing Platform dock, which is the largest among the ships ever be in service in the Philippine Navy, the one that is capable to carry military vehicles, supplies, and troops by bulk that is helpful to be deployed especially with the country's archipelagic geography.

BACKGROUND

Sister ship BRP Tarlac LD-601. Courtesy of Phil. Navy.

The ships are made possible as the result of the Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) program of the former Aquino administration in which in turn based on the original Multirole Vessel/Strategic Sealift Vessel Program (MRV/SSV) program of the former Arroyo administration.

The project calls for two Landing Platform Dock types of vessels in which it is capable to have Naval Helicopters to land and take off, conduct an amphibious operation, carrying a surmountable amount of marine forces, and capable to carry supplies ranging from armored vehicles to ammunition in the times of conflict or in case of humanitarian assistance/disaster response (HADR), relief goods and humanitarian aid.

With this comes the creation of two ships which was built from PT PAL Persero shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia. It was after the bidding in which the PAL won and bagged the SSV contract. These ships are derived from the designs of KRI Banjarmasin 592 and KRI Makassar 590 which was built and designed by PT PAL and South Korean shipyard DSME, respectively for the Indonesian navy use.

These ships are now become what is now the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602).

THE BRP DAVAO DEL SUR

LD-602. Source: Gombaljaya

The ship was initiated its construction on June 5, 2015, on a ceremonial steel-cutting that have taken place on PT PAL shipyard in Indonesia. The construction was made together with BRP Tarlac in which at that time was also under construction in PAL shipyard.

 
Source: Tribune News, via adroth.ph

The ship on its first part of the construction is more about building the blocks about the parts of the ship in which it will be applied and welded later on as these blocks are assembled accordingly from the bottom to the top. Like for instance, the following photos shown here focuses on the keel construction of the ship in which it was shown about the work in progress of the project.

Source: Gombaljaya via adroth.ph

More to these developments, several blocks are being prepared at that time so that assembly will be done accordingly. That which makes the building process faster as well as sophisticated as it may be. The following photo shows a block in which it will install on the main ship in the drydock. Hence, the process of assembly of different parts is initiated then.

Source: Gombaaljaya via adroth.ph

Then, the pieces are to be slowly assembled in its respective place like a jigsaw puzzle. This in which is in fact the norm on modern-day shipbuilding which is much efficient than the usual construction of the hull as one.

The ship's stern with the good deck for Landing Craft Unit
Accommodation. Source: IMF

On the side of the ship with scaffolding. Source: IMF

Ship's bow where it is awaited to be assembled. Source: IMF

After these things are initiated and the blocks have been slowly adjusted to their places, it is the job now of the workers to install various kinds of wiring, plumbing, and accessories as well as doing welding, putting bolts, and welding.

And the ship is slowly taking its shape.

Men and Materiel in the workplace.

 The bridge is about to be installed on the ship.

The ship itself is nearing completion and the process of painting the ship was commenced. And these photos shown the shape of the ship as well as the painting of haze gray on the ship and it bears its pennant - LD 602.

Source: Gombaljaya

The ship with the frontal part waiting to be painted.

The ship on the drydock.

Ship's stern.

The ship in its launching.

The ship in its completion.

THE LAUNCHING

Thereafter, the ship was recently launched last September 29 at the PT. PAL shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia together with an Indonesian frigate which is a PKR 105m class. 

This is the video regarding the event.

The launching is a ceremony for the ship, having itself floating on water and was christened, to be prepared for its service as a landing platform dock ship. 

This is the wine used in launching the ship.

The name unravels on the day of launching.

The ship after the launch. Source: Gombaljaya

AFTER THE LAUNCHING

It will undertake several finalization and improvements in its system and will definitely undertake sea trials. Not to mention that there will be personnel that the navy will be sent for training, immersion, and other activities including closer relations with their Indonesian counterparts. That be then will get transferred to the Philippine Navy by May of 2017.

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(Update)

Updates are to be shown once newly-released photos are released.

January 6, 2017 - A photo was shown where the ship is being finalized and having minor touches before undertaking sea trials. The ship will be delivered as stipulated in the contract.

The ship in this case undertakes several touches where finalizations are being made. As being observed, PT PAL is almost has its job done on the ship where the delivery of the ship as well as commissioning is insight. In this case, it will take enough time for them to complete the ship to have it done before the deadline. Hence, it will complete the contract of acquiring two SSVs where the Philippine Government as well as a PT PAL is hopeful that it will be followed up by more orders in the future.

February 14, 2017 - Series of photos were released in the DefensePH through the same source of the prior photos posted here are shown where finishing touches were made and assessments were done by a Philippine Navy contingent in Indonesia.

The ship is at the port for finishing touches.
Source: Gombaljaya

Machinery check inside the engine room as part of the Philippine
Navy assessment. Source: Gombaljaya

With regard to these activities, the Philippine Navy contingent is confirmed now in Indonesia for assessment as well as for training and familiarization of the vessel in itself. As can be seen here, each and every activity made on the ship inside the PT PAL shipyard is being observed and inspected where it shall be up to what the contract stipulates on. Moreover, in the case of sea trials, it may be started by next month or two as the time for delivery comes nearer in May 2017. Once completed, it will get commissioned and will complement the BRP Tarlac as one of the largest ships in the Philippine Navy which is the Landing Platform Dock designed to undertake amphibious operations as well as for use in Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Response or HADR.

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(More Updates) - May 6, 2017

Apparently, as per the latest reports, the BRP Davao del Sur will arrive in the Philippines by May 8 (Monday) after it was send-off from Indonesia.

From Gombaljaya

The given pictures are simply more of the sea trials that are taken place before the said sendoff where skills are a necessity to keep things in order. In that sense, the Philippine Navy crew assigned in the ship and PT PAL are coordinating to each other so as for the knowhow as for how the ship operates...

Via DefensePH

The days are getting closer as this ship will transfer from the hands of PT PAL Indonesia into the Philippine Navy, making it the second ship of the same class where it will serve in the way it functions just like the BRP Tarlac in which it emphasizes on Amphibious Transport, HADR, and as a command center.

From Agus Utomo

This perhaps the beginning of what is to come wherein the Navy plans to procure more vessels as per Sail Plan. That being said, it will further enhance its mandate to protect and deter the coastline together with the coast guard against foreign adversaries. As per these ships, it will somewhat help conduct various things as per its function where in the future, humanitarian assistance/disaster response will be mitigated which may save more lives as well as having a nicer way of conducting amphibious assaults vis-a-vis with other amphibious crafts. This is somewhat, a promising thing to the Philippine Navy where it will improve itself more, at present, and in many years to come.

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