HMPNGS Lakekamu is Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy (LCH) operated by the Maritime Operations Element of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). The vessel was one of eight built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the 1970s, and was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Labuan in March 1973. Labuan was decommissioned in November 2014. She was transferred to the PNGDF for use as a training ship and was commissioned as HMPNGS Lakekamu in December 2014.
HMAS Labuan during the International Fleet Review 2013
Labuan taking on cargo from the hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2010
Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy
The Balikpapan class is a ship class of eight heavy landing craft. All eight were originally laid down by Walkers Limited for the Australian Army in the early 1970s. A reorganisation of watercraft responsibilities in the Australian military meant the landing craft were to be operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), with seven commissioned directly into RAN service during 1973 and 1974, and lead ship Balikpapan transferred from the army to the navy. During the leadup to the independence of Papua New Guinea in 1975, two of the vessels were transferred to the new Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
HMAS Balikpapan in 2011
M-113 armoured personnel carriers disembarking on a beach from a Balikpapan-class landing craft
Australian troops landing in East Timor 2006, using HMAS Balikpapan
Balikpapan (left), Wewak, and a United States Navy Landing Craft Utility underway during Pacific Partnership 2011