On April 6, an Indonesian fisherman discovered a strange, unidentified device while fishing near the entrance of the strategically important Lombok Strait. He brought it ashore and promptly reported it to the authorities.
Initial inspection indicated that the device is cylindrical, measuring approximately 3.7 meters in length and 70 centimeters in diameter, and equipped with tail fins. Notably, it bears the marking “CSIC” along with other simplified Chinese characters. CSIC refers to China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, a major state-owned enterprise involved in shipbuilding and defense technology development.
The Indonesian Navy stated that a team of experts will conduct a detailed technical assessment to determine the device’s origin, function, and any data it may contain.
The Lombok Strait, located between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, is one of the few deep-water channels suitable for submarine transit during military operations and is closely monitored by the United States and Australia. The discovery of this suspected Chinese unmanned underwater vehicle near the strait has raised concerns within the Indonesian government and the international community, amid fears that China may be conducting intelligence-gathering activities in this strategically significant area.
Source: Epoch Times, April 8, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/4/8/n14737087.htm