Underwater Spying? Device Found In Strategic Waters Near Bali Identified As Chinese Monitoring System

Last Updated:April 18, 2026, 10:06 IST

A fisherman found the 3.7 metre-long object north of Gili Trawangan island in the Lombok Strait last week, which was later carried by the Indonesian Navy for investigation. 

A large torpedo-shaped device was discovered near an island in a strategically important strait between Bali and Lombok, ABC News reported, adding defence analysts identified the device as a Chinese undersea monitoring system.

However, China has dismissed the claims, saying, “There is no need for excessive interpretation or suspicion".

How Was The Device Discovered?

According to the Indonesian state news agency Antara, a fisherman found the 3.7 metre-long object north of Gili Trawangan island in the Lombok Strait last week, which was later carried by the Indonesian Navy for investigation.

The Lombok Strait is a key maritime route that connects the Bali Sea to the Indian Ocean, offering an alternative to the busy Malacca Strait.

“The navy will carry out an in-depth examination to identify the device, including its origin, purpose and stored data," said navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Tunggul, as quoted by ABC News. 

China Eyeing Underwater Conditions In Key Waterways?

The device was identified by maritime defence analyst HI Sutton as a Deep-Sea Real-Time Transmission Mooring System developed by the Chinese 710 Research Institute, ABC News reported.

According to Sutton, the discovery of the device suggests Beijing might possess a network of the sensors to keep an eye on underwater conditions in key waterways.

“It suggests that China may have a network of these sensors providing real-time information on underwater conditions in the strategic waterways which would aid their submarine operations", he said.

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