Australia gifts landing craft to Philippines

CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Australia has announced it is donating two decommissioned landing craft heavy vessels to the Philippines, together with spare parts.

Minister for Defense Kevin Andrews said the Philippines will receive the HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Brunei this year after the ships receive new safety and navigation equipment.

"I expect the vessels will be refitted and ready for hand over in May 2015," he said.

"The Landing Craft will greatly improve the Philippines' ability to respond to natural disasters by enabling heavy equipment and large amounts of aid to be moved to affected areas."

The Philippines in 2013 was struck by a major typhoon which left thousands dead and devastated coastal communities. Government response efforts were hampered by lack of military sealift capability. The Philippine Navy is also in the midst of acquiring new assets as tensions between the Philippines and China continue over the sovereignty of atolls and reefs in an area believed to contrain oil and natural gas deposits.

Australia's landing craft heavy fleet was decommissioned last November.

Australia said the Philippine government is considering the purchase of three other decommissioned landing craft vessels from it.