TNI Explains Chronology of Missing Submarine in Bali Waters
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22 April 2021 12:17 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Military’s (TNI) head of the information center Maj. Gen. Achmad Riad said the naval submarine, KRI Nanggala-402, lost contact in Bali waters in the early hours of Wednesday, April 21, 2021. It reportedly lost contact with the operator approximately 60 miles north of Bali Island.
Riad explained that at 03:46 local time, the naval submarine started diving. Then at 04:00, they conducted a torpedo drill.
“It’s not a missile. Torpedo launcher number 8 was the last communication with KRI Nanggala at 04:25,” said Riad in a press conference in Bali, Thursday, April 22, 2021.
The lost contact was confirmed when the training commander was about to authorize the launching of the torpedo.
Riad said the Indonesian Navy had deployed various submarines to assist in the search. At present, 5 naval submarines and 1 helicopter were mobilized to carry out search operations with 400 personnel, including KRI Rigel that was involved in the search for Sriwijaya Air SJ182 in the waters of the Thousand Islands.
KRI Nanggala-402 is a type 209/1300 submarine built in Howaldtswerke shipyard in Kiel, West Germany, and was ordered by Indonesia in 1977. It joined the TNI fleet in 1981.
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EGI ADYATAMA
