The Australian newspaper reported that over 22,000 pages detailing the combat and performance capabilities of six Scorpene-class submarines produced by India in partnership with French company DCNS have been leaked.
India had signed a $3.5 billion deal in 2005 to build six Scorpene-class submarines, designed by the French company, at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai.
The newspaper report has said the information is sensitive and highly classified.
INS Kalvari, first of the Scorpene-class submarines, is expected to be inducted into the Indian Navy later this year.
The data that has been leaked is reported to have details like specifications of the torpedo launch system, speed and condition needed for using the periscope and functioning of the above-water and underwater sensors.
According to the report, the data tells the submarine crew where on the boat they can speak safely to avoid detection by the enemy.
Submarines are considered the ultimate stealth weapon. Knowing how much sound a submarine makes underwater gives enemies the ability to know just where to look to detect the submarine. The sort of information that has been placed publicly is the stuff of a navy’s nightmare.
India has a fleet of 13 ageing submarines, only half of which are operational at any time, opening up a major gap with China which is expanding its maritime presence in the Indian Ocean.
Govt of India Stand:
The Government of India said that the documents that have been posted on the website by an Australian news agency have been examined and do not pose any security compromise as the vital parameters have been blacked out.
The Indian Navy has taken up the matter with Director General of Armament of the French Government expressing concern over this incident and has requested the French Government to investigate this incident with urgency and share their findings with the Indian side.
An internal audit of procedures to rule out any security compromise is also being undertaken.
The matter is being taken up with concerned foreign governments through diplomatic channels to verify the authenticity of the reports.
