Report warns Beijing’s covert operations in the Lombok Strait could deepen regional mistrust and threaten maritime stability across Southeast Asia…reports Asian Lite News
China’s reported underwater drone activity in Indonesia’s strategically significant Lombok Strait has triggered fresh concerns over maritime security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, according to a report published by Myanmar based outlet Mizzima News.
The report claimed that Beijing’s deployment of underwater drones in the narrow maritime corridor reflects a broader strategy aimed at expanding surveillance capabilities and projecting influence across sensitive regional waters.
Describing the operations as more than a “technological curiosity”, the report argued that the activities symbolise what it called China’s “covert ambition” to strengthen its presence in key maritime zones while increasing strategic pressure on neighbouring countries.
“The discovery and capture of a Chinese underwater drone in the Lombok Strait is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of covert underwater surveillance,” the report stated.
The Lombok Strait, located between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok, is regarded as one of the region’s most critical deep water passages linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The route is strategically important for international shipping as well as submarine movement, making it highly sensitive from a security perspective.
According to the report, the deployment of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) in such waters suggests an effort to collect hydrographic data, monitor naval activity and map strategic maritime chokepoints.
The report further alleged that the use of underwater drones forms part of a “multi layered strategy of dominance” pursued by Beijing to strengthen its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
It claimed that these operations could enable China to gather intelligence on neighbouring countries’ naval capabilities and identify weaknesses in regional maritime defences.
The report also accused Beijing of disregarding sovereignty and international norms by allegedly conducting covert surveillance activities in foreign waters without transparency.
It argued that such operations are designed to expand influence and assert control while avoiding direct confrontation.
Referring to reported links between the recovered drone and Chinese state linked entities, including China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, the report accused Beijing of denying involvement despite evidence suggesting connections to Chinese state enterprises.
“This pattern reflects a broader tactic of covert expansion cloaked in denial,” the report stated, comparing the alleged underwater operations with China’s activities in the South China Sea.
The report warned that if such incidents continue unchecked, they could deepen mistrust among Southeast Asian nations, increase regional tensions and undermine maritime stability in one of the world’s busiest strategic waterways.
Calling for greater regional vigilance, the report stressed the need for transparency, accountability and stronger cooperation among regional countries to respond to growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
