No "security compromise", assures Indian Navy on Scorpene leak

New Delhi, Aug 25 (ANI): The Indian Navy on Thursday said that data related to the reported leak of documents of Scorpene submarines by an Australian news agency has been examined and "do not pose any security compromise" as the vital parameters have been blacked out. "The Government of India is seized of the reported leak of documents related to the ongoing Indian Scorpene submarine programme as reported in sections of the media. 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," said a statement released by the Indian Navy. The statement said that 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 them 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," the release added. The release further stated that India is taking up the issue with concerned foreign governments through diplomatic channels to verify the authenticity of the reports. "The Government as a matter of abundant precaution is also examining the impact if the information contained in the documents claimed to be available with the Australian sources is compromised. The detailed assessment of potential impact is being undertaken by a high level committee constituted by the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Navy is taking all necessary steps to mitigate any probable security compromise," the release added. On Wednesday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar asked Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba to analyse the extent of the leak and find out whether it is related to India or not. Parrikar said the government would come out with more information over the next couple of days. On Tuesday, a report in Australian media revealed that sensitive information related to India's Scorpene submarines had been leaked, with French shipbuilder DCNS, which designed the submarine, facing a leak of documents spreading over 22,000 pages. According to The Australian, the leak details the entire secret combat capability of the six Scorpene-class submarines that French shipbuilder DCNS has designed for the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy informed today that documents posted on the website by The Australian, don't pose any security compromise as vital parameters have been blacked out. "Matter has been taken up with the DG of Armaments of the French Government. We have requested their government to investigate with urgency and share findings with India. An internal audit of procedures to rule out any security compromise is also being undertaken," the Navy said. (ANI)