Philippine Navy to Receive Two Landing Ships from Australia

the Philippine Navy is expected to receive two supply ships Balikpapan class landing craft heavy from Australian Navy (RAN). The two vessels are HMAS Tarakan (L 129) and HMAS Brunei (L 127)

Landing Craft Heavy Details

• Length: 44.5 meters
• Beam: 10.1 meters
• Draught: 2 meters
• Displacement: 364 tons standard, 517 tons full load
• Speed: 19 Kilometers per hour
• Maximum Range:  5600 kilometers

The ship able to  carry 400 soldiers or up to  180 tons of maximum payload which is almost equivalent to 13 M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC). Before the transfer, the supply ships will undergo minor upgrades on its navigational equipment. The Philippines Government is also considering  to purchase the remaining three  Landing Craft Heavy.

The Landing Craft Heavy fleet was decommissioned from Australian service at a ceremony in Cairns on 19 November 2014

Sources:
https://www.navy.gov.au/fleet/ships-boats-craft/lch

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2015/01/29/minister-for-defence-defence-minister-announces-the-gifting-of-two-landing-craft-to-the-philippines

https://www.navy.gov.au/fleet/ships-boats-craft/lch