A Chinese submarine drone has been discovered in crucial maritime trade waters amid escalating tensions between China and Australia. Indonesian fishermen found the two-metre unmanned underwater drone in waters near Selayar Island, just off South Sulawesi, on December 20. The UUV was reported to authorities six days later and images published in local media showed Indonesian military officers posing with the long grey drone. Officials stated the discovery was significant as the UUV was found in a crucial maritime route linking the South China Sea and Darwin, ABC News reported. Information gathered by the drone could be used by the Chinese navy if the communist government decided to use the trade routes, experts fear.