Malaysia And Singapore Send Rescue Ship To Help Find KRI Nanggala-402

Head of the Indonesian Armed Forces Information Center (Kapuspen) Maj. Gen. Achmad Riad / Screenshot

JAKARTA - The Head of the Indonesian Armed Forces Information Center (Kapuspen) Maj. Gen. Achmad Riad said two friendly countries, Malaysia and Singapore, would assist in the search for the submarine KRI Nanggala-402 which lost contact in northern Bali waters, Wednesday, April 21. They will send a relief ship.

"There is an offer of assistance from a friendly country, the first from Singapore in the form of the Swift Rescue ship. This is a submarine rescue ship that has problems underwater," Achmad said in a press conference broadcast online on YouTube Puspen TNI, Thursday, April 22.

According to Achmad, the aid ship is expected to arrive at the location of the search point in about two days or on Saturday, April 24.

Meanwhile, the aid ship from Malaysia is the Mega Bakti ship. The plan, this ship will arrive at the search location on Monday, April 26.

With this assistance, Achmad believes that the Nanggala-402 submarine will soon be found. Moreover, there are already a number of KRIs that have conducted searches first, including KRI Rigel.

Not only that, Basarnas and NTSC also helped in this search by deploying joint personnel carrying various tools.

"Optimistic in the sense of the word, we have mobilized all available resources, existing equipment. Indonesia also has equipment, there is KRI Rigel assisted by KRI Wisnu to carry equipment to detect underwater up to 600 meters," he said.

"What is clear is that we are trying and our brothers or our neighbors, our friendly countries also contribute to the equipment they have, hopefully," added Achmad.

KRI Nanggala-402 previously requested permission to dive in Bali waters at 03.00 WIB, Wednesday, April 21. It is planned that the submarine will carry out firing for a training rehearsal. However, the KRI Nanggala-402 lost contact.

The search was carried out using active sonar in the vicinity of the KRI Nanggala-402 dive. But to no avail. Meanwhile, at 07.00 WIB, the search was carried out by air. An oil spill was seen at the location of the KRI Nanggala-402 diving.

"There was an oil spill around the submerged area, the possibility of a fuel tank damage (cracking) due to sea water pressure or a position signal from KRI NGL-402," explained Kaddispen TNI AL Laksmana Pertama Julius Widjojono.