Lombok Fisherman Discovers Chinese Underwater Drone in Gili Trawangan Waters

JAKARTA – A fisherman named Ariyanto (38 years old) discovered an object resembling a Chinese underwater drone (UVV). This occurred while Ariyanto was fishing in the waters of the North Trawangan Strait, approximately 10 miles from Gili Trawangan, North Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB).

When found, the object was floating in the sea. The Head of the Navy Information Service (Kadispenal), Lieutenant Commander Tunggul, when contacted by Republika on Tuesday (7/4/2026), had not yet provided a response regarding the discovery of the suspicious object.

However, information obtained by Republika indicates that the object is part of an underwater sensor system produced by a Chinese company. “After the object was found by a resident, it was reported to the Gili Air Naval Post and the Pemenang Gili Trawangan Police Sub-Sector for further identification,” according to the information obtained by Republika.

Around 10:00 WITA, the object was evacuated to Gili Trawangan, specifically next to the GB Suites Hotel, and subsequently cordoned off with police tape by members of the Gili Indah Sub-Sector Police. Around 13:02 WITA, the Bomb and Explosive Disposal Detachment Team, along with Chemical, Biological, and Radioactive (Jibom and CBR) units, conducted observation and examination.

“The results found no explosives or radioactive materials in the object. The object is an underwater device or robot developed by CSIC (China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation),” according to the report obtained by Republika.

Following that, the handover of the item from the Gili Indah Sub-Sector Police was carried out in the presence of the Gegana Team to the Mataram Naval Base (Lanal). Around 16:30 WITA, the object was transported using an official truck from Lanal Mataram. “At 20:17 WIB, the object suspected to be an underwater observation device arrived at the Mataram Naval Base headquarters and was subsequently secured,” stated the information.

Initial identification results indicate that the object is an underwater drone produced by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC). CSIC is one of the largest shipbuilding and repair industry groups in China.