TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Navy probes torpedo-like object found in West Nusa Tenggara

The 3.7-metre-long and 65-centimetre-wide object was fished from the ocean on Monday about 10 kilometres from the popular tourist island of Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara, the navy said.

AFP
Jakarta
Thu, April 9, 2026 Published on Apr. 9, 2026 Published on 2026-04-09T13:03:52+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
A 3.7-metre-long and 65-centimetre-wide object was found on April 5, 2026 off  Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara. A 3.7-metre-long and 65-centimetre-wide object was found on April 5, 2026 off Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara. (The Jakarta Post/National Police )

T

he Indonesian Navy said Thursday it was investigating a torpedo-like object discovered by a fisherman near the Lombok Strait, a key maritime route connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The 3.7-metre-long and 65-centimetre-wide object was fished from the ocean on Monday about 10 kilometres from the popular tourist island of Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara, the navy said.

A 28-year-old fisherman immediately reported the unusual find to the local authorities, who retrieved it.

"The Indonesian navy will promptly carry out an in-depth examination... of the device to determine its origin, function, and the data contained within it," navy spokesman First Admiral Tunggul told AFP.

"The Indonesian National Armed Forces will remain fully committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Indonesia's territorial seas from all forms of unauthorised activities, including the use of underwater devices or equipment by unauthorised parties in Indonesian waters."

Mataram naval base chief Col. Asep Tri Prabowo told reporters Wednesday the object was under strict supervision and would be sent to Jakarta for further investigation.

The Jakarta Post - Newsletter Icon

Morning Brief

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Delivered straight to your inbox three times weekly, this curated briefing provides a concise overview of the day's most important issues, covering a wide range of topics from politics to culture and society.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

An initial examination by the West Nusa Tenggara Police's bomb squad confirmed it did not contain any explosive or radioactive substances, he added.

Local media reported that lettering on the object suggested it may have been manufactured by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. It appeared to be a device to measure the speed of currents.

This was not the first time a foreign object has been found in Indonesian waters.

In 2021, a fisherman discovered a seaglider in the Selayar Islands, South Sulawesi that the military suspected was being used for oceanographic research.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.