Worries mount for Indian Navy and defence ministry with reports that the recently leaked documents relating to the Scorpene submarine includes details on the capabilities of anti-ship missile, SM39, which are expected to be used in the Scorpene submarines.
Cameron Stewart, The Australian reporter who broke the Scorpene submarine leaked document story has countered the statement from Manohar Parrikar, defence minister, who said that the leak was "not a big worry" because the data did not contain weapons system details. According to Stewart, the document contains details on SM39 missiles.
He said that his news outlet is being threatened with legal action by DCNS, the French ship builders and manufacturers of Scorpene submarines. The company wants to bring an injunction to stop the outlet from publishing further information.
He took to Twitter, threatening to publish all the documents relating to the submarine's weapon systems.
"The data includes the number of targets the missile is capable of processing, its launch details and how many targets could be downloaded before firing," he said.
What is SM 39?
The SM39 Exocet missiles are sea-skimming missiles featuring solid propellant. It has a range of 50 kms. These missiles are built by MBDA and work under all weather conditions. The weapon remains out of the enemy radar.
The missile weights 655kg and uses inertial navigation system and autonomous terminal guidance using an active RF seeker. The Scorpene features six torpedo tubes, where the SM39 missiles might be housed.
Scorpene submarine's leaked document contains 22,400 pages of data and the documents that The Australian news portal revealed were commercial in nature, with many of the important parameters being redacted by the publication.
Admiral Sunil Lanba, the naval chief showed concern over the leak and revealed that a high-level investigation committee was being set up. "We have ourselves set up a high level committee to investigate into this. Based on the report of the committee, we will see what mitigation measures need to be taken," he said.
A naval officer told IANS, India can make changes in the submarine at any stage, "if needed" and the country is capable of making changes to submarines in "worst-case scenario" situations. He also said that the final signature of the submarine is yet to be established.
