The military has always been the backbone of the nation and the ultimate way to overcome a nation is to strike up its military. In such cases, technology is being used these days, to sneak out the crucial data and bolster their own arms above that of their accomplice. In a similar case, the Scorpene deal between India and France came under focus, when some crucial data about the submarine was reported to be stolen from France.
Scorpene Case
Scorpene deal was signed between India and France for $ 3.5 billion in 2005, for building 6 scropene submarines by French company at Mumbai. Scorpene deal once again came into controversy after some allegations of secret data leakage were raised and proved to be true. Earlier, delays in the deal and some kickbacks related allegations were there for the same deal. The contract was primarily between Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai and Armaris, a French firm. Recently, the stealing and leaking of some crucial data about the submarines that can compromise its technical capabilities have been surfaced and the issue has taken the limelight, as it is vital military void and can pose a threat to the naval department.
What was the Entire Matter?
In 2005, a deal between India and France was signed for 6 Scorpene class submarines. As per the sources, a naval officer of France leaked some confidential data related to the technical specification of the submarine ranging about 22,000 pages. The data went to Australia through the mediums in South East Asia. The actual cause of concern is that the data leaked compromises with the stealth capability of the submarines. The data will be helpful in detecting the submarine averting its stealth feature. DNSC, the French company has hired that naval officer for converting some data for the deal.
Scorpene Class Submarines
The submarine is a diesel electric submarine constructed by French and Spanish companies. It can attain a speed of 20 knots with a range of 12,000 kms. The Air Independent Propulsion is the elite specification and enhances its stealth feature making it more capable to hunt in concealment. Some other nations like Poland, Spain and Brazil have ordered the submarine because of its specifications and stealth capabilities.
Further future threats
As per the sources, French company, DNSC has won the deal to design the submarines of Australia worth $ 50 billion. Further disclosure of data can be a cause of military contradiction between both the nations. However, the Australian PM has said that the model being made in Australia is different from the Indian model and the data leaked was outdated a few years ago.
Earlier such attempts
- Government and commercial organisations of India were targeted by Chinese hackers in June, this year
- In march, 2015, the Comptroller of Defence Accounts was targeted by similar mediums
- In 2012, Chinese hackers operated some crucial data of Indian Navy’s Eastern Command
- Navy war room leak case in 2005 hawked the nation after it was revealed that some critically crucial data was stolen from the war room of the Indian navy.
Conclusion – Scorpene will be the ace of Indian navy and can be the silent hunter in war times. But the revelations of the data can pose a threat to its detection and capabilities. Technical data are always kept secret to avoid the national contradiction and maintaining the performance of the arms and weapons. Inter-governmental talks were ignited just after the eruption of the news. Hope for a consensus between the nations and a humble solution of the problem.
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