The Philippine government will buy remaining three decommissioned Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels from the Australian government. This was affirmed by President Benigno S. Aquino III in his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) July 27 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
“We anticipate on purchasing three more, once all of the documents have been placed in order, the procedures to obtain them will start,” Aquino said in Filipino. The vessels are a part of five recently decommissioned Australian Balikpapan-class LCVs. Two were given as a donation to the Philippine Navy and are expected to arrive next week.
“By next week, two Landing Craft Heavy will arrive from Australia,” the President said.
He included that the turnover of these vessels was exceptionally very generous. “They even accompanied extra spare parts and generators.”
“These vessels will diminish our reliance on the thoughtfulness of other countries; we will have the capacity to quicken and accelerate delivery to different parts of the Philippines, and immediately send help, supplies, and other substantial gear, for example, bulldozers, which are required for clearing and relief operations,” Aquino said.
The Department of National Defense previously said remaining three Australian LCHs will be procured at a giveaway price of PhP726 million.
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