Scorpene Data Leak: India May Scrap Future French Submarine Deals

French contractor DCNS had proposed an order for three new submarines which the Indian government may decline.

“Kalvari”, the Scorpene class submarines ventures into the sea for the first time as sea trials begin off Mumbai coast, 1 May 2016. (Photo: IANS)

The central government is unlikely to give French naval contractor DCNS a proposed order for three new submarines, in addition to the six it is already building in the country, following the leak of secret data about its capabilities, Indian defence officials said.

Details of the Scorpene submarine were published in The Australian newspaper last month, triggering concerns that it had become vulnerable even before it was ready to enter service.

DCNS had offered to build three more submarines to help India replace its ageing Soviet-era fleet, and had held talks over the past year, two Indian sources said. That offer will not be taken up, according to the officials.

Also Read: Has National Security Been Compromised With the Scorpene Leak?

“We had an agreement for six, and six it will remain,” a defence ministry official briefed on the Navy’s plans told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A navy officer said there had been a serious breach of data and efforts were focused on determining the damage done to the existing submarines.

“No order will be signed, nothing is going to happen now,” the officer, who is also been briefed on the submarine data leak, said when asked if the government planned to enlarge the order.

Also Read: Scorpene leak: DCNS Moves Court to Stop Data Release

The Indian Navy’s first Scorpene submarine in Mumbai last year. (Photo: Reuters)

DCNS spokesman Emmanuel Gaudez said the company was “stunned” by the information.

The talks are ongoing with the government and our Indian partners. We have not been informed in anyway of such a decision.

Emmanuel Gaudez, Spokesperson, DCNS

India’s defence ministry has written to DCNS asking for details about the extent of the leak and how data relating to the Scorpene’s intelligence gathering frequencies, diving depth, endurance and weapons specifications had ended up in the public domain, both officials said.

Also Read: Is India Ready for the After-Effects of the Scorpene Data Leak?

A naval group headed by a three-star admiral is looking at altering some features of the submarine, the first of which began sea trials in May for induction later this year, to minimise any damage.

The remaining five are in various stages of production at state-run Mazgaon Docks shipyard in Mumbai and they were all due to enter service by 2020.