The Philippine Navy has added another ship into its fleet by putting into service a landing craft that was acquired from South Korea by way of a donation.
The BRP Mamanwa (LC 294) was christened and commissioned into service more than a week ago by the Sealift Amphibious Force of the Philippine Fleet in Sangley Point, Cavite.
The commissioning was witnessed by officials, including Ltc Bae Jung Hoon, defense attache of the Republic of Korea and Rear Admiral Alberto Carlos, Philippine Fleet commander.
Philippine Fleet spokesman LtCdr. Ryan Luna said members of the Mamanwa tribe were also invited during the event, but due to the pandemic, they just witnessed the ceremonies online.
The Mamanwa was the former Mulgae Class Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 70 of the Republic of Korea, which the country acquired through a grant from the South Korean government, according to Luna.
The Navy had the ship refurbished before it entered the service.
Luna said Mamanwa is still waiting for instruction for its area of deployment.
“BRP Mamanwa [LC 294] is classified as a Landing Craft Utility and has a maiden crew of 10 Navy personnel with augmentation from other Sealift Amphibious Force vessels as well as the Fleet’s Maintenance Repair Team from Headquarters Sealift Amphibious Force,” Luna said.
The ship is skippered by its first commanding officer, Navy Cdr. Lyvanjake DC Cabiente.
The LCU is a type of boat capable of transporting equipment, tracked or wheeled vehicles, and troops from amphibious assault ships all the way to beachheads or piers.
The former South Korean LCU was donated to the Navy in June 2014 and subsequently underwent machinery and equipment repairs in Cavite.
(RPNRadio)