Chinese Ships Conducted 13 Underwater Operations To Search For Shards Of KRI Nanggala-402

PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Chinese ships that took part in Operation Salvage have carried out dozens of underwater operations during the search and removal process of the fragments of the KRI Nanggala-402 ship hull.

"Until today, Shenhai Yongshi diver's equipment has carried out 13 operations under the sea. Basically, they already know the current state of the submarine wreckage under the sea, collect many pictures and videos. All of this has been handed over to the Indonesian side for the first time," said the Attache Defense of the Chinese Embassy to Indonesia Senior Colonel Chen Yong Jing as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, May 18.

He said the Chinese ships had worked closely with the Indonesian Navy during the Salvage duties.

According to him, the two sides had coordinated four times to maintain close communication regarding the development of Salvage.

"Currently our ship's task has moved from the observation stage to the lifting stage. As it is known that underwater lifting is a very complex problem worldwide. We will make full efforts to carry out the underwater lifting based on the real conditions under the sea and also the capabilities of our own ships," explained Yong Jing.

The Chinese ships that took part in this search and rescue task consisted of Nantuo-195, Yongxindao-863, and Tan Suo-2. In addition, dozens of our ships are strengthened including a team of divers, a medical team, a subsunk rescue team, and others.

Previously, the Chinese side had maintained close communication with Indonesia and sent naval vessels at the scene to assist search and rescue tasks on April 26, 2021.

Then, on May 1, 2021, the ships arrived at the scene, immediately established communication with Indonesian Navy ships, and made observations of objects under the sea.

In this Salvage Operation, the Indonesian Navy deployed six warships, including KRI Rigel-963, KRI Yos Sudarso-353, KRI Hasan Basri-382, KRI Teluk Banten-516, KRI Pulau Rengat-711, and KRI Soputan-923.