Scorpene submarine data leak: French shipbuilder DCNS suspect ‘economic warfare’

French naval contractor DCNS said on Wednesday it may have been the victim of ‘economic warfare’ after secrets about its Scorpene submarines being built in India were leaked. 

Speaking to PTI, DCNS said that the matter will be thoroughly investigated by French national authorities for defence security. 

 “This serious matter is being thoroughly investigated by French national authorities for defence security,” DCNS on India's Scorpene document, tweeted PTI. 

“Probe will determine the exact nature of leaked papers, potential damage to DCNS customers and responsibilities for this leakage: DCNS.”

This serious matter is being thoroughly investigated by French national authorities for defence security: DCNS on India's Scorpene document

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 24, 2016

Probe will determine the exact nature of leaked papers, potential damage to DCNS customers and responsibilities for this leakage: DCNS.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 24, 2016

India opened an investigation after The Australian newspaper published documents relating to the submarine's combat capabilities, raising concerns over another major contract with Australia.

The leak contains more than 22,000 pages outlining the details of six submarines that DCNS has designed for the Indian Navy.
"I understand there has been a case of hacking," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters. "We will find out what has happened."

The submarines are being built at a state-run shipyard in Mumbai and the first one was expected to go into service by the end of the year, the first step in the Indian Navy's effort to rebuild its dwindling fleet.

Also read: Scorpene Submarine data hacking: Defence Minister Parrikar holds high-level meeingt, probe team may go to France

The leak has raised doubts about the security of DCNS's submarine project in Australia where it is locked in exclusive negotiations after seeing off rivals for a A$50 billion ($38 billion) contract to build the Barracuda next generation of submarines.

DCNS, which is 35 per cent owned by Thales, said it was working to determine if any harm had been caused to clients with a view to drawing up an action plan.