Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s navy is investigating a suspected unmanned underwater vehicle discovered in waters north of Gili Trawangan, Lombok, officials said on Tuesday.Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Tunggul said a team of experts would conduct a detailed technical assessment to determine the device’s origin, function and any data it may contain.“The navy will carry out an in-depth examination to identify the device, including its origin, purpose and stored data,” he said when confirming the case in Jakarta.The object was first spotted by local fishermen sailing in the North Gili Trawangan Strait, in North Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara Province.The fishermen reported the discovery to nearby navy personnel, who then secured and evacuated the device for further handling.It was subsequently transferred to the navy post in Gili Air before being moved on the same day to the Mataram naval base for investigation.At the base, the device is being examined by the naval military police to ensure proper handling and compliance with investigation protocols.Authorities have also installed a police line around the object to secure the site and support the ongoing probe.“The installation of a police line has been carried out to ensure the investigation proceeds in accordance with standard procedures,” Tunggul said.Speculation has circulated that the device could be an underwater surveillance drone linked to a private Chinese company.However, Tunggul said the navy could not yet confirm those reports pending the outcome of the technical analysis.He stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and that conclusions would only be drawn after all findings are verified.The navy reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s maritime sovereignty and security from unauthorized activities.It warned against the use of underwater equipment by unapproved parties in Indonesian waters, citing potential risks to national security.The discovery highlights growing concerns over the presence of unidentified devices in strategic sea lanes across the archipelago.Earlier, the Bomb Squad of the West Nusa Tenggara Police ruled out any explosive content in a torpedo-like object discovered by fishermen near Gili Trawangan.“Preliminary results show the object is free of explosives and radioactive substances,” North Lombok Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Agus Purwanta said on Monday.Furthermore, the police handed over further handling of the findings to the Mataram Indonesian Navy Base.”We have handed it over to the Indonesian Navy for further handling, including in-depth technical identification,” Purwanta remarked.