Massive data leak on combat capabilities of Scorpene submarines
A massive data leak detailing the combat and stealth capabilities of Indian Navy’s soon to be inducted French Scorpene submarines has been reported, which could potentially affect the combat capabilities of the sub-surface platforms.
Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL) is building six Scorpene submarines with technology transfer from DCNS of France.
“The stunning leak, which runs to 22,400 pages and has been seen by The Australian, details the entire secret combat capability of the six Scorpene-class submarines that French shipbuilder DCNS has designed for the Indian Navy,” The Australian reported.
Marked “Restricted Scorpene India”, the DCNS documents detail the most sensitive combat capabilities of India’s new $3 bn ($3.9bn) submarine fleet and would provide an intelligence bonanza if obtained by India’s strategic rivals, such as Pakistan or China, the report states.
The data tells the submarine crew where they can speak safely to avoid detection by the enemy. It also discloses magnetic, electromagnetic and infra-red data as well as the specifications of the submarine’s torpedo launch system and the combat system, the report further stated.
While DCNS claimed that the leak was unlikely from its end, the report points to information leaked about other upcoming DCNS deals with other countries which likely means the leak was from the company.
According to The Australian, the data on the Scorpene was written in France for India in 2011 and is suspected of being removed from France in that same year by a former French Navy officer who was at that time a DCNS subcontractor.
The news is of particular concern to India as the Scorpenes are to be the mainstay of the Navy for the next couple of next decades.
The first of the Scorpenes, Kalvari, is currently undergoing sea trials and is scheduled to be commissioned in October this year with the remaining five expected to be rolled out at nine-month intervals. With depleting submarine levels, India has expressed interest in ordering additional Scorpenes which would also keep the assembly line at MDL running.
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