The Indonesian Navy has initiated an investigation into a suspected unmanned underwater vehicle discovered in the waters north of Gili Trawangan, Lombok. The object was found by local fishermen navigating the North Gili Trawangan Strait in North Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara Province, who subsequently reported their discovery to nearby naval personnel.
Following the report, navy teams secured and evacuated the device. It was transported first to the naval post in Gili Air and then moved to the Mataram naval base on the same day for a comprehensive examination.
Rear Admiral Tunggul, a Navy spokesperson, confirmed that a team of experts would conduct an in-depth technical assessment. This examination aims to identify the device’s origin, intended purpose, and any data it might contain. Naval military police are overseeing the investigation, and a police line has been established around the object to ensure adherence to proper investigative protocols.
This object had previously undergone an assessment by the West Nusa Tenggara Police’s Bomb Squad. North Lombok Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Agus Purwanta stated that preliminary tests had confirmed the device was free of explosives and radioactive substances. The police then handed over the findings to the Mataram Indonesian Navy Base for further technical identification.
While speculation has arisen regarding the device potentially being an underwater surveillance drone linked to a private Chinese company, Rear Admiral Tunggul stressed that the navy could not confirm these reports. He reiterated that the investigation is ongoing, and conclusions would only be drawn once all findings have been thoroughly verified.
The navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty and security. Authorities also issued a warning against the unauthorized use of underwater equipment in Indonesian waters, citing potential risks to national security.
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The Indonesian Navy has initiated an investigation into a suspected unmanned underwater vehicle discovered in the waters north of Gili Trawangan, Lombok. The object was found by local fishermen navigating the North Gili Trawangan Strait in North Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara Province, who subsequently reported their discovery to nearby naval personnel.
Following the report, navy teams secured and evacuated the device. It was transported first to the naval post in Gili Air and then moved to the Mataram naval base on the same day for a comprehensive examination.
Rear Admiral Tunggul, a Navy spokesperson, confirmed that a team of experts would conduct an in-depth technical assessment. This examination aims to identify the device’s origin, intended purpose, and any data it might contain. Naval military police are overseeing the investigation, and a police line has been established around the object to ensure adherence to proper investigative protocols.
This object had previously undergone an assessment by the West Nusa Tenggara Police’s Bomb Squad. North Lombok Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Agus Purwanta stated that preliminary tests had confirmed the device was free of explosives and radioactive substances. The police then handed over the findings to the Mataram Indonesian Navy Base for further technical identification.
While speculation has arisen regarding the device potentially being an underwater surveillance drone linked to a private Chinese company, Rear Admiral Tunggul stressed that the navy could not confirm these reports. He reiterated that the investigation is ongoing, and conclusions would only be drawn once all findings have been thoroughly verified.
The navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty and security. Authorities also issued a warning against the unauthorized use of underwater equipment in Indonesian waters, citing potential risks to national security.
Source: Original

