The submarine was taking part in a live-fire torpedo exercise this week. According to local media report, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal confirmed the early media reports.
KRI Nanggala (402) went missing around 03:00 AM local time today, about 95 kilometers North of Bali, presumably in a 700-meters deep trench. There are 53 sailors aboard. Indonesia armed forces are deploying several air and naval assets that have underwater capabilities to support the search and rescue operation, including two submarines and MPRV (Multi Purpose Research Vessel KRI Spica (934).
Indonesian authorities immediately requested assistance from Singapore and Australia. The Republic of Singapore Navy and the Royal Australian Navy both have dedicated submarine rescue vessels. The Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indonesian Navy signed an arrangement concerning submarine rescue support and cooperation back in 2012. According to AIS data, Singapore’s MV Swift Rescue has already set sails from Changi Naval Base.
Both Type 209/1300 (Cakra-class) submarines of the Indonesian Navy, KRI Cakra and KRI Nanggala were built by Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW, TKMS) in 1981. They have a length of 59.5 meters, an underwater displacement of 1,390 tons, a test depth of 240 meters and an endurance of 50 days.
Update 25/04/2021
The submarine is confirmed SUBSUNK
