Leaked Scorpene papers won't affect stealth aspect: Indian Navy

New Delhi: The Indian Navy said on Wednesday the leaked documents on the Scorpene submarine not impact its stealth and operational capabilities as the details are “old” and that the vessel’s “signature” will be known only once it heads for the open sea.

The documents from DCNS, the French company that designed the boats being built in India, were leaked, triggering fear that it may compromise the stealth aspect of the submarine.

“Details in the leaked documents regarding Scorpene submarine are not valid because the signature can be known only once the boat goes to sea,” an Indian Navy source said, adding that the specifications mentioned in the document are hypothetical.

“The signature of boats of the same class can also be different. It also depends on the temperature and salinity, geographical location and other factors,” the source said.

The Navy, nonetheless holds the leak as an issue of concern.

“The documents should not have been leaked, but there is nothing to be alarmed about,” said the source.

The allegedly leaked information related to Scorpene submarines has presentations and technical manuals of the boat, including details like the acoustic signature, noise level and radiated noise of the boat.

Sources from the Naval Headquarters, where the documents are being analysed, however said that the document, one of which is dated January 2011, is old.