Sensitive Data of Indian Navy’s Scorpene Class Submarines Leaked

[PARIKRAMA]

and more sensationalism by Cameron Stewart from The Australian

 

[jhungary]

Not too familiar with Indian intelligence system so I cannot say for sure.

but most of these leak are either financially motivated or they are almost always someone behind for personal gain.

If you get what kind of document was leaked, then you can close down the source, and then you can plug the leak.

This happen in all country at all level, so this is not some kind of big news

 

[911]

and more sensationalism by Cameron Stewart from The Australian

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They are so much concerned about India then why don't they share the documents with Indian authorities.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

An article .. some good .. in fact very good points

ScorpeneLeak — Fighting that ‘sinking’ feeling

• ABHIJIT SINGH
• AUTRALIAN NAVY
• CYBER THEFT
• INDIAN NAVY
• MALCOLM TURNBULL
• MANOHAR PARRIKAR
• SCORPENE LEAK

The Scorpene data leak is a body-blow for the Indian navy. Already suffering from a critical shortage of submarines to protect its littoral-seas, the navy must now deal with allegations that its principal submarine project, a venture being pursued in partnership with the French company DCNS, has been badly compromised. In a damning disclosure, The Australianreported that it had seen crucial files that revealed critical data about India’s ‘Scorpene’ programme, with equipment and operational specifications outlined in such minute detail that India’s future submarine operations could be severely jeopardised.

Stung by the revelations, the navy has ordered an inquiry, but is struggling to come to terms with the leak’s operational implications. In order to get to the bottom of this embarrassing expose, it is important to answer three sets of crucial questions:

What was the source of the leak? Was this a case of cyber theft?
As news broke of the revelations, Indian officials rushed into damage control mode. The navy immediately released a statement saying the leak appeared to have originated from outside India. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar contended that the leak looked like a case of hacking. His suggestion that this wasn’t a physical breach of security, but the handy-work of cyber criminals seemed to resonate with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who also hinted that the system had been infiltrated by hackers. It all seemed conveniently aimed at shifting the onus of responsibility onto unknown cyber spies with the mysterious ability to pierce well guarded computer networks.

However, the present evidences suggest that this may not have been a case of hacking at all. First, the documents released are nearly all scanned copies of a printed manuscript which appears to be an operational manual. It is reasonable to assume that if hackers were involved, original PDF documents would have been made public. Naval sources point out that when submarine specifications are prepared, every equipment and sensors is evaluated by specialists who prepare separate files with necessary specifications. It is only later that the individual documents are collated and printed as a consolidated manual. If hackers had accessed company computers, experts aver, they are likely to have revealed individual PDF documents.

Instead, printed manuals have been scanned and copied on a data disc by an insider who then seems to have either smuggled it out physically or illegally transmitted its contents to an outside agency with the intention of making a specific revelation.

The Indian navy may be right in suggesting that the leak did not originate in India, because details of DCNS’ submarine projects with Chile and Malaysia have also been released. If an Indian source had stolen the data, he/she would not have had access to files pertaining to these countries. The report in The Australian states that the data on the Scorpene was written in France for India in 2011 and is suspected to have been removed from France in that same year by a former French navy officer who was at that time a DCNS subcontractor. Given these facts, the possibility of an opportunistic leak cannot be discounted. It is possible that the information was available on a data disc since 2011, and was obtained from its source for a price to further a particular strategic objective.

What are the implications of the leak?
There is no denying that the revealed information is of an extremely sensitive nature. The leaked data is said to include details of the Scorpene’s stealth capabilities, frequencies for intelligence gathering, the noise levels of the submarines at various speeds, the diving depths, range and endurance, magnetic radiations, specifications of the torpedo system, propeller noise specifications and radiated noise levels etc. Not only would this information be useful for an adversary in developing tactics to combat the Scorpene, it also appears to nullify stealth and secrecy — the holy grail of submarine operations.

Despite their seemingly grave nature, the revelations, however, do not compromise the Scorpene in a way that negates its prospects for future exploitation. Navies usually have a data bank of the vital characteristics of rival submarine forces. This is based on the understanding of equipment and sensors which those platforms are known to possess and their general operating characteristics. This information, however, does not readily translate into a submarine’s unique underwater signature. The signature of a submarine is a combination of all its acoustic and magnetic emissions, which can be studied and documented only during sea-trails. While the revelation of the Scorpene’s operating characteristics is damaging for combat operations, it does not prevent the submarines from being tactically exploited.

This is not to say the Indian navy will not be adversely affected by the leak. The revelations are significant and could impact India’s undersea operations direly. But they are unlikely to put the Scorpene class out of service.

Who does this disclosure really target?
This is the most important part of the investigations. It appears that the revelations are part of corporate espionage war between DCNS and its rival corporations. The company’s spokesperson alluded to it in a media briefing on Thursday when she stated that “competition was getting tougher and tougher, and all means were being used.. all tools in economic warfare.”

Australia’s recent award of its submarine contract to DCNS has created severe heart-burn in Japan and Germany, where competing firms had been vying for Canberra’s $50 billion contract of the replacement for the Collins class submarine. It isn’t surprising that the nature of the leak seems intended at discrediting the French company.

A particularly revealing clue is a screenshot of icons of PDF documents of important submarine sensors that is part of the released documents. It suggests that the insider was acting on instructions that would show him/her as having accessed not just scanned copies of the manuals, but also original PDF versions of individual files. The fact, however, that the material put out does not contain any PDF files implies that the source may have had no cyber access to the original material, except being able to view it on a computer screen. This debunks the hacking theory, showing that despite their inability to infiltrate company servers, the conspirators planned on creating an illusion that inadequate systems-security at DCNS compromised sensitive operational data.

Even the security classification annotated in red with the stamp “Restricted Scorpene India” on the revealed documents appears intended at indicting DCNS. Clearly, the culprits were keen to show the French company in poor light, implicating it for failing to protect sensitive data.

Only investigation will reveal if there was a real corporate war at play. What seems clear is that India has been a collateral victim in a deeper economic and strategic conspiracy. The challenge for the Indian navy will be dispel the impression that its premier submarine project has been rendered worthless.

http://www.orfonline.org/expert-speaks/scorpeneleak-fighting-that-sinking-feeling/

 

[R!CK]

and more sensationalism by Cameron Stewart from The Australian

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I don't appreciate the tone of aggression in his tweets. It's like he got something personal against India or France. There is definitely a hidden agenda behind this and making The Australian popular is just not it. There is a bigger player behind the screens promoting this for a huge gain. (Think SEA1000)

P.S: Thanks to @PARIKRAMA for such a great effort in covering this topic. Don't think even our media put in so much honest effort. Really thanks a ton!

Good Day!

 

[mkb95]

https://twitter.com/x/status/769178059396100096

 

[thesolar65]

In engineering course (civil, elect or mech), in the 5th or 6th sem there is paper called machine design and its a open book exam and its 4 hour duration(one hour more). And the intriguing fact is most students get low score or have a back in that paper.

Now you know what I mean?

 

[PARIKRAMA]

They are so much concerned about India then why don't they share the documents with Indian authorities.

Thats the bitter truth. If there was not a vested agenda they would have contacted DM MP or MOD or Indian governemnt via Indian embassy in Australia post first breaking of the story.. Now what you see is an effort to become famous and make a point that they are the crusaders of exposing truth but in reality they are aiding corporate espionage.

https://twitter.com/x/status/769178059396100096

Yeah i saw that.. Was reading comments on this and earlier just before comment. Some folks are giving it back to him nicely and questioning his intention. As usual he will keep quiet. people even used hashtag presstitute for him already.

 

[Hellfire]

Not too familiar with Indian intelligence system so I cannot say for sure.

but most of these leak are either financially motivated or they are almost always someone behind for personal gain.

If you get what kind of document was leaked, then you can close down the source, and then you can plug the leak.

This happen in all country at all level, so this is not some kind of big news

Oh, if it is an Indian source, the gentle(wo)man has been taken in for a 'debrief'. Our counter intelligence is pretty good, usually.

 

[Ankit Kumar 002]

On sensational headlines by Indian News Portals and Indian Defence journalists , its just not because of want of TRP. Its about money, its simple , submarines are need for 20% of human population ( India ) and it will be bought from somewhere , if not DCNS its others gain.

Just want to bring up a incident , a particular well known defence journalist was part of the Indian team, whose visit for an exhibition by SAAB was paid by SAAB so that they promote SAAB here. And the particular person was then uploading pics and in particular praising a MANPADS , a SR SAM, AIP , and submarine design offerings from SAAB .....


Same is case for another person who is personally related to Reliance ( which is offering submarines with Russia )..... he too is clamouring on this.


The purpose of my this post is just to add on to " Why we should not fall for anything written here ".

Also if there are any serious concerns , you would have been hearing about tensions in Brazil.... they are quite silent.

 

[ashok321]

• Scorpene documents leak not a big worry: Parrikar

 

[Indrajit]

Thats the bitter truth. If there was not a vested agenda they would have contacted DM MP or MOD or Indian governemnt via Indian embassy in Australia post first breaking of the story.. Now what you see is an effort to become famous and make a point that they are the crusaders of exposing truth but in reality they are aiding corporate espionage..

He is a journalist, he has a job to do and it doesn't including saving either DCNS's backside or that of the Indian MoD. He has a story and it's a big one. Not like such stories come around every week. In any case, how on earth is your question relevant? The documents have been around for some time now, seen by many, passed through many hands. Why on earth should the guy who finally broke the story be our primary focus? This is plain obfuscation, making it sound like it's all a major conspiracy of an Australian newspaper rather than the theft/leak at DCNS which has opened up a major headache for us. The document might have been seen/be in the hands of either the Chinese or Pakistanis or both among many others. Yet the focus is not on the fact that we have been stripped partially naked but that a guy finally called out on it and brought it to our notice as if the embarrassment is the unbearable part, not the actual leak itself. The journalist & the paper are causing embarrassment, nothing more. The real damage has already been done elsewhere and we have no real idea of the extent of that.

 

[GuardianRED]

here is the thing.. NDTV... gone mad fully

read here.. bolded and made bigger in size part
Scorpene submarine documents leak not a big worry: Parrikar
Aug 26, 2016, 05.57 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday played down the Scorpene leak saying its a "not big worry", but there are few pockets of concerns because the ministry is assuming the worst case scenario.

The defence minister said that the leaked documents put on the web of 'The Australian' newspaper does not include any of the weaponry systems of the Scorpene as been reported in the media.

Parrikar said that the navy has assured him that most of the leaked documents are not of concern.

The minister also said that Scorpene submarine has not even fully completed the sea trials, which is important to understand how it will work under water.

The Indian Navy has taken up Scorpene document leak matter with French Directorate General of Armament.

"We are waiting for the report. Basically, what is on the website is not of big concern. We are assuming, on our own, that this has leaked and we are taking all precautions", he said.

"What I am given to understand that there are few pockets of concern assuming that what is claimed to have been leaked has leaked actually.

"We are going by assumption of the worst case scenario. I think there is not big worry because we will be able out put things in right perspective", Parrikar added.

Asked by a journalist whether the Rafale deal would be affected because of the leak, the minister shot back questioning whether one can stop using French products just because a leak has happened in another company.

"You stop using all products from France? Obviously, the companies are different, the type of equipment is different and an incident should be punished with whatever the contractual punishment is there. It is not intentionally leaked," Parrikar said.

He said the punishment should be based on the conditions in the contract.

More than 22,000 pages of top secret data on the capabilities of six highly advanced submarines being built for the Indian Navy in Mumbai in collaboration with a French company have been leaked, raising alarm bells today in the security establishment.
The combat capability of the Scorpene submarines being built at Mazagon dock at a cost of USD 3.5 billion by French shipbuilder DCNS, went public when an Australian newspaper, "The Australian", put the details on the website.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...a-big-worry-Parrikar/articleshow/53874704.cms

Hehe .... NDTV posted a CORRECTION : with what u just posted

 

[PARIKRAMA]

He is a journalist, he has a job to do and it doesn't including saving either DCNS's backside or that of the Indian MoD. He has a story and it's a big one. Not like such stories come around every week. In any case, how on earth is your question relevant? The documents have been around for some time now, seen by many, passed through many hands. Why on earth should the guy who finally broke the story be our primary focus? This is plain obfuscation, making it sound like it's all a major conspiracy of an Australian newspaper rather than the theft/leak at DCNS which has opened up a major headache for us. The document might have been seen/be in the hands of either the Chinese or Pakistanis or both among many others. Yet the focus is not on the fact that we have been stripped partially naked but that a guy finally called out on it and brought it to our notice as if the embarrassment is the unbearable part, not the actual leak itself. The journalist & the paper are causing embarrassment, nothing more. The real damage has already been done elsewhere and we have no real idea of the extent of that.

And your point being?
What damage? You think our kilo submarines are not there in CHinese fleet? The vanilla signature are not there in Nato library?
Why should not be the guy our focus? his intentions is purely sensationalism and his every second under the lights of the whole world to showcase himself as rising star.
Does he have any credentials to ascertain that these dox are genuine or not? What significance they have? Which independent analyst he used to authenticate and vouch for his claims? Is he a qualified person to say its important or not? Thats inspite of knowing that Restricted is the lowest form of authorization needed?

You think adversaries dont know each other fleet stuff? You think China or Pakistan or any XYZ country will come to know about Scorpenes only after 2011 when "valuable data" is floating in the market?

Embarrassment on whose cost? India? Were they not breaking the story for Australian interest and safeguarding them against a company like DCNS who won 12 sub tender of Australian $ 50 Bn? They simply used India as a bait and used indian scorpenes to gain more eyeballs.. Unfortunately our gullible masses and presstitute media fell for that.. No body questioned him his intention and now since India is downplaying all his efforts and slowly clearing that nothing much is there bcz nowhere proprietary stuff or modified blueprints are leaked, he is trying to prove that no our country is wrong bcz if all folks accept India, DM MP and Indian navy's view + stoic silence from other operators of scorpene, his breakthrough story goes down the drain..

 

[Indrajit]

And your point being?
What damage? You think our kilo submarines are not there in CHinese fleet? The vanilla signature are not there in Nato library?
Why should not be the guy our focus? his intentions is purely sensationalism and his every second under the lights of the whole world to showcase himself as rising star.
Does he have any credentials to ascertain that these dox are genuine or not? What significance they have? Which independent analyst he used to authenticate and vouch for his claims? Is he a qualified person to say its important or not? Thats inspite of knowing that Restricted is the lowest form of authorization needed?

You think adversaries dont know each other fleet stuff? You think China or Pakistan or any XYZ country will come to know about Scorpenes only after 2011 when "valuable data" is floating in the market?

Embarrassment on whose cost? India? Were they not breaking the story for Australian interest and safeguarding them against a company like DCNS who won 12 sub tender of Australian $ 50 Bn? They simply used India as a bait and used indian scorpenes to gain more eyeballs.. Unfortunately our gullible masses and presstitute media fell for that.. No body questioned him his intention and now since India is downplaying all his efforts and slowly clearing that nothing much is there bcz nowhere proprietary stuff or modified blueprints are leaked, he is trying to prove that no our country is wrong bcz if all folks accept India, DM MP and Indian navy's view + stoic silence from other operators of scorpene, his breakthrough story goes down the drain..

Seriously? You are entitled to whatever opinion you want but your attempts to go after the journalist in question is silly. According to you, there is nothing to bother, right? That position is yours to take but acting like everyone else who doesn't fall in line is gullible, naive or is pointless. if you believe there is nothing to the story, say so & move on. A lot of us disagree and we haven't all being bought or lack in intelligence.

It isn't embarrassment for India? Right? Tell it to the DM , the MoD and the navy who have been busy the last 24 odd hours desperately trying to keep a brave face. According to you, they should have all said who cares & gone back to sleep. Whether Australia was the main target & India was merely a side show is of no interest to me, all i know is that it is India who has been the subject of international spotlight and not at all in a pleasant way.

So we have gullible masses, presstitute media, now of course including the international media and almost all our experts & retired high ranking officers who have suggested differently to your take on the matter are all either compromised, stupid or cunning.... all but just the couple of geniuses including yourself who are the sole repositories of all intelligence and are the sole keepers of the national interest (and by default, that of DCNS)

You have no idea what the 22400 pages contain, no idea whether that is the total extent of the leak, yet you so masterfully & without a trace of doubt, pontificate on how the rest of the world, atleast this country of ours is filled with only the stupid, the gullible &/or the conniving. Quite simply, the arrogance of that position where you refuse to allow for even an iota of doubt is mind boggling. After all, no one else knows anything...unless of course they agree with you....