Scorpene submarine leak: All about the Indian Navy’s stealth weapon Kalvari
Scorpene Submarine leak: All you need to know about Kalvari, which will be commissioned into the Indian Navy later this year.
Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief of Naval staff Admiral RK Dhowan, and others during the floating out of the first project 75 (Scorpene) Submarine at Mazagon dock in Mumbai. Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar.
Australian media on Tuesday reported that sensitive data concerning India’s Scorpene Submarine has been leaked, posing serious threat to the Indian Navy’s stealth weapons. The data, reportedly running into over 22, 000 pages, has been marked ‘Restricted Scorpene India’. The Indian Express has not accessed the data. The documents belong to DCNS – the company that is building India’s Scorpene Submarines. It could well provide an intelligence landmine if obtained by India’s neighbours – Pakistan or China.
According to The Australian, the sensitive leak includes details of the submarine’s underwater sensors, above-water sensors, combat management system, torpedo launch system and specifications, communications system and navigation systems.
Also read | Sensitive data on Indian Navy’s Scorpene submarine leaked: Report
First of the Scorpene class submarines being built in India – Kalvari – went for sea trials in May, 2016 and is expected to be inducted in the Indian Navy soon. Indian Navy officials have said the six submarines, once inducted, would form the core of the Navy’s submarine arm for the next two decades.
Here’s all you need to know about India’s Scorpene Submarine
# The ongoing project for the construction of six Scorpene class submarines, has M/S DCNS of France, as Collaborator and includes ‘Transfer of Technology’, with M/s MDL as the ‘Builder’.
# Kalvari would be commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Kalvari later this year.
# The state-of-art features of the Scorpene include superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The Stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.
Watch video: Secret Data On India’s Scorpene Submarines Leaked
# The Scorpene Submarine is designed to operate in all theatres including the Tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine i.e Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence gathering, Mine Laying, Area Surveillance etc.
# The Scorpene is equipped with Weapons Launching Tubes (WLT), and can carry weapons on board which can be easily reloaded at sea, through special handling and loading equipment. The array of weapons and complex sensors fitted on board the Scorpene are managed by a high technology Combat Management System, which integrates various diverse systems fitted onboard into One Formidable Whole.
‘Kalvari’: The Tiger Shark
Kalvari is the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deadly deep sea predator. As is the tradition, ships and submarines of the Navy, are brought alive after decommissioning.
The first Kalvari, which was also the first Indian submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 8, 1967. She was decommissioned on May 31, 1996 after almost 30 years of yeoman service to the nation. In true nautical traditions, she will now be re-incarnated, by Mazagon Dock, once again a powerful predator of the deep, guarding the vast maritime interests and areas of our nation.
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