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China is sending rescue units to extract the wreckage of an Indonesian submarine
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
Chinese Polish Navy offered to help extract the wreckage of the submarine. KRI Nanggala-402, which sank during the exercise on April 21.
On April 25, with the help of the Singapore rescue ship MV Swift Rescue, Indonesian forces located and confirmed the site of the KRI Nanggala-402 wreck. Sonar research and the use of submarines showed that the hull of the submarine under the influence of massive pressure was crushed as a result of which it disintegrated into three parts.
"To pull some 1,300 tons of metal to the surface from a depth of over 800 metres is quite a challenge. Only a few rescue companies would be able to do such a task," said James Goldrick, an adjunct in maritime strategy at Australian National University. In his opinion, there is no guarantee that the real cause of the disaster will ever be detected.
Indonesian officials have requested assistance in recovering the wreckage to many countries. China responded to this call, which offered support and sent three Chinese rescue units to the Lombok Strait where the wreckage of the ship is located.
According to the government newspaper Global Times, a Chinese rescue mission would bring cost benefits to Indonesia, but would also contribute to the implementation of Chinese national security. Rescuers will have the opportunity to examine the marine topography of the marine area in which the Indonesian submarine sank, as well as to expand the international cooperation and experience of the Chinese Navy in the field of submarine rescue.
The cause of the sinking is unknown, but two high-ranking Indonesian officials have presented the newspaper The Straits Times that it is possible that the submarine was drawn below the depth of crushing through the subsurface wave. The Lombok Strait is known for its powerful underwater currents generated by successive layers of oceanic waters and tides that can rapidly move in the depths and create oceanic water duts. They pose a deadly danger to submarines as they can pull water layers (and its contents) at large depths – or throw it suddenly onto the surface. The Strait of Gibraltar is also known for its strong underwater waves.
Built in Germany, the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine, which had served in the Indonesia Navy since 1981, had 49 crew members, commander and 3 artillerymen on board. The ship underwent inspections and repairs in Germany, Indonesia, and most recently in South Korea. More than 60 submarines of Type 209 have been sold, served and still serve in 14 warships worldwide.
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