Debris believed to be from the missing Indonesian navy submarine KRI NANGGALA 402 has been found, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono told a news conference on Saturday 24th April, 2021.
Six pieces of debris believed to be from the submarine, which was lost in the Bali Sea on Wednesday, were presented to journalists.The latest update came as hopes faded for the 53 crew members who were expected to have run out of oxygen early on Saturday.The debris believed to be from the missing submarine included a bottle of grease, part of a torpedo launcher, part of a metal tube, prayer mats and fuel, Yudo said. It was found floating at a location where the sea is 850 meters deep. Personnel who were on a previous mission on the submarine confirmed that some of the debris belonged to the submarine, the navy chief of staff said. The bottle of grease matches what the crew would use to lubricate the submarine’s periscope. Yudo said an explosion was not believed to have occurred on the submarine but that heavy pressure on the vessel may have a created a crack through which some items escaped.
The United States deployed a P-8 Poseidon submarine hunting aircraft to assist in the search and rescue operation for the submarine while the Indonesian navy sent SAR helicopters and ships to the area where contact was lost with the 44 year old submarine last Wednesday 21st April, 2021 as she prepared to conduct live torpedo exercises. Australia has also deployed a sonar equipped frigate with a helicopter to help the submarine hunt, while a deep submergence rescue vessel was on route from India, as concerns grow the submarine might have been crushed by water pressure. In fact 6 naval assets took part with over 400 personnel taking part in the search of which even Singapore and Malaysia have dispatched ships to the area, and Australia, France and Germany have also offered assistance.
KRI NANGGALA 402 was a Type 209 diesel electric attack submarine, one of two CAKRA Class Submarines. She was ordered on 2nd April 1977, built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft of Kiel, Germany completed in 3th July, 1981 and commissioned on 21st October,1981.
Timeline image is of the Indonesian Navy Hydrographic Vessel KRI SPICA 934 during her delivery voyage from her French builders towards Indonesia for commissioning back to 9th November, 2015.
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Published – Saturday 24th April, 2021.