CNS on Scorpene Data Leak

on the sidelines of launching of Mormugao on September 17, 2016, when asked by the media about the leaks of vital data on the french Scorpene submarines under construction at the Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, for the indian navy, admiral Sunil Lanba, chief of the naval Staff, stated, Òthere is a high-level committee which is inquiring into the Scorpene leak on our side. Similarly in france, DcnS and the french Government have launched an inquiry. Based on this inquiry, we will see what needs to be done and whether any mitigation measures are required or not. in preliminary investigation, it has been found that the leak did not happen in India but in the DCNS office in France.”

Data leaked from french defence company DcnS, that runs over 22,400 pages, including crucial details of the Scorpene submarine programme of india, was reported by the newspaper, The Australian. an order by the Supreme court of new South Wales had asked The Australian to hand over the documents to DcnS. the indian Government has maintained that the leak will not affect the submarine programme or capability of the boat.

CNS clarified that Scorpene data leak controversy wonÕt affect the ambitious project of building submarines in the indian shipyards with the help of foreign shipyards. under Project 75(i), indian and foreign shipyards are supposed to construct in indian shipyards. the project for building six submarines is estimated to be worth $6 billion.