Leaked submarine data sensitive, but not critical or confidential: Report

Leaked documents about French naval contractor DCNS’ Scorpene submarines appear to be neither critical nor confidential, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday.

Leaked documents about French naval contractor DCNS’ Scorpene submarines appear to be neither critical nor confidential, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday.

File photo of Indian Navy's Scorpene submarine INS Kalvari being escorted by tugboats as it arrives at Mazagon Docks Ltd, a naval vessel ship building yard, in Mumbai.(Reuters File Photo)

“It seems to be sensitive information but appears neither critical nor confidential,” the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Read: Secret data on Indian Navy’s Scorpene-class submarines leaked

Sensitive data on submarines designed for the India Navy have leaked from the leading French shipbuilder with military customers around the world.

Analysts say the leak is a blow to India’s navy and could compromise its underwater combat capabilities. India has spent $3.9 billion on six conventionally powered Scorpene submarines built by France’s DCNS and inducted for trial in 2015.

Read: Scorpene submarine data leak: Indian and French authorities order probe

DCNS said in a statement that French national security authorities were investigating how many documents leaked, the level of sensitivity, and the prejudice to the client.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters he asked the navy chief to determine what information was exposed. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said the leak did not appear to have come from India.