Joint Indo-French team likely to go into Scorpene data leak

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Indian navy plans to set up a joint group with the French authorities to examine the Scorpene submarine leak issue, navy chief Sunil Lanba said today, claiming there was no “critical leak”.

Lanba said, the navy will also have discussion with French submarine manufacturer DCNS regarding the issue.

“There was a committee appointed by us (the navy) to investigate the Scorpene leak. The report has been submitted to the (defence) ministry and at the same time the French government is also investigating the leak at their end.

“Once we get access to that report we plan to set up a joint group to examine the issue and what we need to do….If we need to do any changes in the platform,” Lanba said.

He said the leaked data predate 2010 and do not have any specific inputs about the armament which were subsequently fitted and deployed on the Scorpene vessel.

“Even I don’t know the exact parameters of the Kalaveri (Scorpene class submarine) at the moment. She is undergoing trials. There is no critical leak. We will sit down with DCNS on what needs to be done,” Lanba added.

About procurement of additional Scorpene submarines, he said the proposal is being looked at “holistically”. (PTI)