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Indonesian Navy Recovers and Investigates Underwater Device in Lombok Strait

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Indonesian Navy Investigates Underwater Device Found in Lombok Strait

A local fisherman has recovered an underwater device in the strategically important Lombok Strait, prompting an investigation by the Indonesian Navy. An independent analyst has identified the object as a Chinese-made oceanographic monitoring system, though official examinations are ongoing.

Official examinations are ongoing to determine the device's origin, purpose, and any stored data.

Discovery and Recovery

A fisherman discovered a 3.7-meter-long, torpedo-shaped object north of Gili Trawangan island in the Lombok Strait. Multiple sources indicate the discovery occurred last week. The Indonesian Navy secured the device and transported it to the Mataram naval base on Lombok for examination.

Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Tunggul stated the navy would conduct an in-depth investigation to identify the device's origin, purpose, and any stored data.

Device Identification

Maritime defence analyst HI Sutton identified the device as a Deep-Sea Real-Time Transmission Mooring System. His analysis, cited across multiple reports, provides key details:

  • The system was developed by China's 710 Research Institute.
  • The 710 Research Institute was part of the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), which has since merged into the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).
  • The device features the letters 'CSIC' and the corporation's logo.
  • The system is designed to be anchored to the sea floor and transmit collected data to the surface via communication buoys.
  • According to Sutton, the device's sensors can monitor underwater conditions such as temperature, depth, current, and acoustic information.

Official Statements

Chinese Foreign Ministry: A spokesperson stated that China did not have specific details on the matter. The spokesperson said China conducts marine scientific research in accordance with international law and noted it is not unusual for research equipment to drift into other countries' waters due to malfunctions. The spokesperson added, "There is no need for excessive interpretation or suspicion."

Indonesian Ministry of Defence: Brigadier General Rico Sirait, head of the ministry's Information Bureau, said the examination of the device is continuing. He stated, "At this stage, we do not want to draw premature conclusions or engage in speculation before official findings are available." He added that the government would respond with enhanced monitoring of national waters.

Analyst Perspectives on Capabilities

Analysts provided context on the device's potential functions, noting its dual-use nature.

  • Collin Koh, a maritime security expert, described the system as "undersea warfare capable" due to its sensor array and communication ability. He noted the data it collects has both military and civilian applications, calling it a "dual-use" technology.
  • HI Sutton wrote that such a device could have military applications, suggesting it might be part of a network providing real-time underwater data.
  • Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), suggested the device could be used to monitor submarine activity.
  • Multiple reports note that similar sensor systems are used by other countries, including the United States, Japan, and India.

Strategic Significance of the Location

The Lombok Strait, where the device was found, is a strategically significant waterway.

  • It is a deep-water corridor between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with a minimum depth of 250 meters.
  • It is an important route for deep-draft commercial vessels and serves as a potential alternative to the Malacca Strait.
  • Collin Koh noted the strait is considered a critical route for Australian or allied naval forces transiting to the South China Sea.

Legal and Diplomatic Context

The legality of the device's operation is a complex question under international maritime law.

  • Dita Liliansa, a PhD researcher, outlined that the issue hinges on whether the device qualifies as a "ship" entitled to navigation rights and what activities are permitted in the area where it was found.
  • The Lombok Strait includes archipelagic sea lanes designated by Indonesia, where the scope of permitted activities is subject to interpretation and contestation.
  • Collin Koh suggested the Indonesian government might prefer to resolve the matter quietly, citing a similar incident in December 2020 where a Chinese underwater drone was found near Selayar Island and public discussion subsided after an initial investigation.

Background and Regional Context

  • Indonesian fishermen have discovered several Chinese underwater drones in recent years. Analysts note this is the first known instance of a moored sensor buoy of this type being found in the region.
  • Some analysts, including Collin Koh, have linked China's activity in the area to regional security developments, such as Australia's AUKUS agreement to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
  • Australia's Department of Defence was contacted for comment by some outlets. Its publicly disclosed future investment plans include significant funding for undersea warfare and maritime capabilities.