In the early morning of September 29, the second strategic sealift vessel (SSV) for the Philippine Navy was formally introduced and christened as BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602). The launching was conducted at Surabaya shipyard by the Indonesian contractor PT PAL, the same contractor which built the BRP Tarlac (LD-601).
The BRP Davao Del Sur will be used as same as its twin sister BRP Tarlac, to serve as floating command-and-control ship for naval rescue operations and mainly be military sealift and transport ship.
The ship will be able to carry up to 2,800 tons of payload and has an overall length of 120 meters, depth of 21 meters and a maximum draft of 5 meters. She will also be able to accompany 500 troops, a couple of landing crafts units, 2 rigid hull inflatable boat and even 3 helicopter.
Her speed will be 13 knots and up to 16 knots at full speed. She will also have a minimum of 7,500 nautical miles operating range.
The schedule of the arrival of BRP Davao Del Sur is estimated to be on the midpart of 2017. And many people are anticipating its coming for she will be a great addition for the improvement of Philippine Navy.
