The Philippine Territory

MANILA, Philippines -- Nine firms from different countries have expressed interest to join the initial bidding this month for two brand new Navy transports worth P2 billion each
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Astartez Defense (Philippines), Rescue Solutions JV with Coastal Industries Ptd Ltd (Singapore/Vietnam), PROPMECH Corporation, Daewoo International Corp. (Daesun-Republic of Korea), Larsena and Toubro (India), Stone of David, PT PAL Indonesia (Indonesia), STX Off-Shore Shipbuilding Co. (ROK), Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc. (Philippines), and PT Citra Shipyard (Indonesia) have all purchased documents to participate in the August 29 bidding by the Department of National Defense.

The ships to be bid out are non-combat Strategic Sealift Vessels with Integrated Logistics Support capability to be used for sea- and land-based civil-military operations.



The SSVs are capable of transporting large numbers of military personnel and logistics like trucks, tanks and other supplies, and are equipped with a mini-hospital, a helipad and watercraft that would bolster response capabilities in times of maritime disaster.

The bidding was originally scheduled for August 15 but the schedule was moved amid persistent suggestions that the budget to acquire the SSVs be used instead to purchase modern weapons systems for the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the two US Hamilton-class coast guard cutters acquired recently for around P1 billion and which currently form the backbone of the Navy.

Read More: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/68576/9-firms-to-bid-for-p4-b-navy-transports