In what may be a significant clue pointing to growing unmanned surveillance activity in Southeast Asian waters, a mysterious metallic object resembling a torpedo was discovered early this morning along the shores of Pantai Seberang Takir, Kuala Terengganu. The coastal stretch directly faces the increasingly militarised South China Sea, a region rife with geopolitical tensions.
The cylindrical device, measuring approximately 2.7 meters in length and weighing an estimated 70 kilograms, was found by a member of the public at around 7:30 a.m. The incident was swiftly reported to local authorities, according to Malaysia’s national news agency, Bernama.
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor confirmed that his department received an emergency call from a civilian who stumbled upon the suspicious object. Bomb disposal units were promptly deployed to the site, initially fearing it could be an explosive device.
A detailed examination, however, ruled out any immediate danger. Tests confirmed the absence of explosives or harmful radioactive substances. Instead, the object was identified as a sophisticated marine research instrument, reportedly valued at around RM1 million.
“We have yet to determine the owner. There are no visible markings indicating corporate ownership, but we believe it may belong to a local university,” ACP Azli told Bernama. However, experts have pointed out that the device closely resembles Underwater Unmanned Vehicles (UUVs) — autonomous underwater drones commonly used for maritime data collection but with potential military applications.
The discovery of such objects is not unprecedented. Between 2019 and 2020, similar torpedo-shaped devices were retrieved by fishermen in Indonesia and the Philippines. Analysts later identified these as Sea Wing-type ocean gliders, manufactured by Chinese state-linked institutions.
These UUVs — often deployed under the guise of scientific research — have dual-use potential, capable of mapping the seabed, tracking undersea cables, or even preparing navigational routes for stealth submarine operations. The strategic implications of such discoveries raise concerns among defense and intelligence communities across the region.
The most recent incident before the Terengganu discovery occurred on December 30, 2024. A Filipino fisherman recovered a suspected UUV approximately six nautical miles off the coast of San Pascual, Masbate. This province is strategically located near the Philippine Sea and the Sibuyan Sea, key transit points for regional naval movement.
The two-meter-long drone was handed over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and later transferred to the Philippine Navy for forensic analysis. Images of the recovered drone showed clear markings — “HY-119” and “HY-L0119” — suggesting possible Chinese origin.
According to Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, regional director of PNP Bicol, initial open-source analysis suggests that the object was a Chinese-manufactured system.
“The object has an antenna and an optical lens for visual observation. Based on the data we found, it is likely designed for monitoring and reconnaissance purposes,” Dizon stated.
Experts believe the “HY” series could be linked to China’s expansive efforts in building underwater situational awareness, particularly through its Sea Wing ocean glider, developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). These UUVs are reportedly capable of autonomous operation for up to 30 days and can dive as deep as four nautical miles. Such capabilities allow for critical undersea terrain mapping and discreet naval activity monitoring.
These underwater drones are not merely theoretical assets. On January 19, 2021, fishermen in Air Putih, Pulau Anambas — close to Malaysia’s maritime borders — recovered a 1.5-meter, 25-kilogram blue drone with faded Chinese characters. Submarine warfare analyst H I Sutton, writing on his Covert Shores platform, suggested that the object was likely a Chinese underwater sensor, potentially used for remote sensing or underwater radio telemetry.
Another incident in December 2020 saw an Indonesian fisherman recover a similar Sea Wing-type drone near Pulau Selayar, South Sulawesi, alarmingly close to the Sunda Strait, a key maritime chokepoint.
The discovery led analysts to speculate that China may be clandestinely mapping alternative submarine corridors from the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean, bypassing the congested and strategically sensitive Strait of Malacca. Such activity would align with China’s long-term maritime strategy, particularly in preparation for potential naval confrontations or strategic blockades.
For Malaysia, the discovery at Seberang Takir is more than just a maritime curiosity — it is a wake-up call. With vital sea lanes, fiber-optic cables, and contested exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundaries crisscrossing Southeast Asia, the clandestine deployment of UUVs could mark a new frontier in regional military competition.
Whether these devices are purely for scientific purposes or have strategic implications, their increasing presence in Southeast Asian waters underscores the need for heightened maritime domain awareness. Regional navies, particularly those within ASEAN, may need to enhance intelligence sharing and surveillance capabilities to counter potential threats posed by unmanned underwater surveillance.
As geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate, Malaysia and its neighbors must take proactive measures to protect their territorial waters. The latest discovery raises pressing questions about the extent of foreign surveillance in the region and whether existing maritime security frameworks are adequate to address the emerging challenges posed by autonomous underwater technologies.
