Ex-Defence Minister AK Antony urges the Centre for a high-level inquiry into Scorpene leaks

New Delhi: Congress leader and former Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday demanded a “high-level inquiry” into the alleged leak of sensitive information related to combat and stealth aspects of India’s Scorpene submarines.

“I request the Union government to immediately order a high-level inquiry to find out the truth about the leak,” Antony said here.

“Is the leak something serious? What is the extent of the leak and whether it is true? That is more important,” the former Defence Minister said.

He also asked the government to take action in the matter on a war-footing.

A report in Australian media had revealed on Tuesday that sensitive data related to Scorpene submarines has been leaked from French shipbuilder DCNS, which designed the submarine, comprising documents over 22,000 pages.

The Scorpene submarines, being manufactured at the Mazgaon Dockyard in Mumbai at a cost of around $3.5 billion, are conventional diesel vessels that boast of advanced stealth capabilities.

The over 22,000 pages that have been leaked from DCNS contain information on different aspects of the boat, including its underwater sensors, above-water sensors, combat management system, torpedo launch system and specifications, communications system and navigation systems.

The Indian Navy has said that the source of the leak was not in India.