The government said on Thursday that it is seized of the reported leak of documents related to the ongoing Indian Scorpene submarine programme as reported by 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, a Ministry of Defence press release said.
The Indian Navy has taken up the matter with the Director General of Armament of the French government, expressing concern over this incident. The Navy has also 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.
“The government of India, 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 press release said. “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.”