Chief Executive of PT PAL Budiman Saleh said here on Thursday the company which is based in Surabaya, East Java, is studying the possibility of building and exporting warships to a number of countries in Africa.
Budiman said Senegal wanted to place order for a Landing Platform Dock (LPD) or amphibious warship, and two units of guided missile fast ship and Guinea Bissau and Gabon each wanted two units of 60 meters guided missile fast ships.
“Senegal wants two units of 45 meter and 60 meters guided missile fast ship. Guinea Bissau and Gabon each wants two units of 60 meters guided missile fast ship. For that purpose we need support from the government in the form of export license,” he said.
He said a number of other countries in Southeast Asia have also indicated interest in ordering warships from PT PAL.
The interest came after the recent delivery of two warships to the Philippines the type of 123 meter long Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) at a price of US$90 million or around Rp1.1 trillion.
The Philippines is also reported discussing possible import of two more units of SSV and one unit of SSV Hospital Ship and two units of 60-meter guided missile fast ship.
“The orders from the Philippines have served as a magnet for other ASEAN countries.For example, Malaysia wants a 163 meter LPD – larger and could accommodate three helicopters on deck, two in hangar. It is like a helicopter carrier,” he said.
Budiman said more orders are expected to come in 2018.
