Philippines spends 16.5 million USD to buy 3 more landing ships from Australia

AFP reported that the Philippine Defense Ministry's public affairs official Arsenio Andolong said on February 2 that the country will buy three Australian-made landing ships, following two that Canberra donated to Manila to support rescue efforts after future typhoon disasters.

The Philippines will receive and refurbish three 44.5-meter-long ships designed to carry heavy supplies at a cost of about 726 million pesos ($16.5 million), according to Arsenio Andolong.

Australian Navy amphibious assault ship HMAS Tobruk (Source: navy.gov.au)

"By market standards, the three ships were sold at almost zero cost. These ships will be used for humanitarian and disaster relief work," Mr. Andolong said.

The Australian Embassy also confirmed that the Philippines had expressed its intention to purchase the three ships.

On February 1, Australia announced that it will donate two old military landing ships to the Philippines to support humanitarian work and disaster relief.

Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews said the two ships are expected to be repaired and ready for handover to the Philippines next May.

These two ships are 44.5m long, designed to transport heavy supplies, and have both been out of service since November 2014./.

According to VNA