Fears grow for missing Indonesian submarine crew, Australian Defence force to help with rescue mission
By defence correspondent
Andrew Greene
Posted 2hhours ago, updated 1hhour ago
Indonesia's military chief Hadi Tjahjanto says the navy has deployed scores of ships to search the area, including a hydrographic survey ship.(
AP: Achmad Ibrahim
)
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Concerns are growing for the crew of an Indonesian submarine that has been missing in waters off Bali for over 24 hours, with fears it may have sunk well below its safe operating depth.
Key points:
- The Australian government has offered to help in any way it can
- A submarine expert said the depth of the water where it disappeared was concerning
- Indonesia's military chief has deployed scores of ships as part of the search effort
The ageing German-made submarine, KRI Nanggala-402, was conducting a torpedo drill in waters north of the island but failed to relay the results as expected, a navy spokesman said.
Military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said contact with the vessel was lost at 4:30am local time on Wednesday.
"We are still searching in the waters off Bali, 96 kilometres from Bali, [for] 53 people," Air Chief Marshal Tjahjanto told Reuters in a text message.
The Australian government has expressed its concern and offered any assistance it can to the Indonesian military for its rescue operation.
The submarine and 53 crew went missing off the coast of Bali.(
Supplied: Indonesian Navy
)
"We are obviously very concerned about these reports. It's very distressing for families and particularly for the Indonesian Navy," Foreign Minister Marise Payne told AM.
"We operate very different submarines from this one, but the Australian Defence Force and Australian Defence organisation will work with defence operations in Indonesia to determine what we may be able to do.
"We will go to the support of our neighbour in any way we can."
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the event is "distressing" for the crew's family and the Indonesian navy.(
AP: Brendan Smialowski
)
Few options to get crew out if submarine has sunk
Submarine rescue expert Frank Owen has told the ABC the initial reports from Indonesia were concerning.
"There's been reports, which are of concern, of an oil slick near the position of the last sighting of it, but we really don't know what might happen," he said.
"We also understand that the water depth where it is is around 700 metres, which is well below the operating depth of that submarine," Mr Owen said.
Mr Owen, who is also the secretary of the Submarine Institute of Australia, believes the ADF could provide a remote operating vehicle (ROV) to help map the ocean terrain.
"If it is in the depth of water that's there, then there will be little they can do to actually get the people out — the only way to get the people out would be to salvage the submarine, and that's a lengthy process".
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WATCH
Duration: 16 seconds16s
The KRI Nanggala-402 was in waters off the coast of Bali.
Indonesia's Defence Ministry said the submarine lost contact after being granted clearance to dive. It said a helicopter later spotted an oil slick near the dive's starting position.
The submarine was carrying 49 crew members, its commander and three gunners, it said.
The navy said an electrical failure may have occurred during the dive, causing the submarine to lose control and become unable to undertake emergency procedures that would have allowed it to resurface.
It said it believed the submarine sank to a depth of 600 to 700 metres.
The submarine was conducting a torpedo drill in waters north of Bali.(
Supplied: Indonesian Navy
)
'Chilling reminder' of dangers submariners face
Air Chief Marshal Tjahjanto said the navy had deployed scores of ships to search the area, including a hydrographic survey ship, and had asked for help from Singapore and Australia, which have submarine rescue vessels.
Singapore's defence department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Duration: 2 minutes 31 seconds2m 31s
Submarine expert Frank Owen says there is no way to evacuate those on board if it's on the seabed.
Independent Australian senator Rex Patrick, a former submariner, expressed his deep concern but said he believed there was still hope.
"You never know what can eventuate in these situations. I wish our Indonesian friends the very best in their endeavours to quickly find the submarine and I know that the RAN and RAAF will offer all available support in assisting the Indonesian Navy," Senator Patrick said.
"This is a chilling reminder of just how dangerous submarine service can be".
The 1,395-tonne KRI Nanggala-402 was built in Germany in 1978, according to the Indonesian cabinet secretariat's website, and underwent a two-year refit in South Korea that was completed in 2012.
Members of National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) prepare for a search mission after Indonesia's Defence Ministry confirmed the submarine lost contact after being granted clearance to dive.(
AP: Firdia Lisnawati
)
Indonesia in the past operated a fleet of 12 submarines purchased from the Soviet Union to patrol the waters of its sprawling archipelago.
But now it has a fleet of only five — two German-built Type 209 submarines and three newer South Korean vessels. It plans to operate at least eight by 2024.
Indonesia has been seeking to upgrade its defence capabilities but some of its equipment still in service is old and there have been deadly accidents involving, in particular, ageing military transport planes in recent years.
Reuters/ABC
Posted 2hhours ago, updated 1hhour ago