French sub maker DCNS in classified data leak scandal

[CougarKing]

Cause for India and Australia to worry since they're DCNS sub customers?

Agence France-Presse via Bangkok Post

French submarine maker hit by secret data leak — report
Agence France-Presse
07:56 AM August 24th, 2016

SYDNEY, Australia — French defense contractor DCNS has been hit by a massive leak of secret data on its submarines likely to alarm India, Malaysia and Chile which use the boats, The Australian newspaper reported Wednesday.

The 22,400 leaked pages, which the newspaper said it had seen, detail the combat capability of the Scorpene-class submarine DCNS designed for the Indian navy, variants of which are used by Malaysia and Chile.

Brazil also due to deploy the vessels from 2018.

The leak could trigger concern in Australia, which in April awarded DCNS a Aus$50 billion (US$38 billion) contract to design and build its next generation of submarines.
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[CBH99]

Do you think there will be any legal ramifications for the newspaper that leaked the information?

This information is deemed highly classified, and is intended for use in a weapon system designed to protect Australia.  Leaking this information to the public compromises the integrity of the design, and the future capabilities it has against potential threats.

Just because you manage to get your hands on information, doesn't mean you have to publish it.  Especially when doing so potentially damages your own national security.  Disappointed & confused.

 

[CougarKing]

While the Malaysians say there's nothing to worry about, it seems the Indians won't be taking any chances:

Defense News

Indian Navy Asks French Authorities To Probe Scorpene Leak
By: Vivek Raghuvanshi, August 25, 2016
NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy has expressed concern to French authorities over the reported leakage of data pertaining to the Scorpene submarines being built for India.

"The Indian Navy has taken up the matter with Director General of Armament of the French Government expressing concern over this incident and has requested the French Government to investigate this incident with urgency and share their findings with the Indian side," according to an Aug. 25 Indian Navy statement. "An internal audit of procedures to rule out any security compromise is also being undertaken."

Meanwhile the matter is being taken up by New Delhi through diplomatic channels to verify the authenticity of the reports appearing in a section of Australian media.

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Berita Daily

25/08/2016 08:45 AM
Malaysia's Scorpene subs different from those used by Chile and India

The specifications, features as well as the capabilities of the submarines used by Malaysia were unique and different from the other submarines used by the two nations

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Scorpene submarines purchased from French defence company DCNS are different from the submarines of Chile or India, said Defence Deputy Minister Mohd Johari Baharum.

The specifications, features as well as the capabilities of our submarines were unique and different from those submarines, he said when met at the Malaysian Armed Forces Sports Awards night at Wisma Perwira here.

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[RDBZ]

Do you think there will be any legal ramifications for the newspaper that leaked the information?

This information is deemed highly classified, and is intended for use in a weapon system designed to protect Australia.  Leaking this information to the public compromises the integrity of the design, and the future capabilities it has against potential threats.

Just because you manage to get your hands on information, doesn't mean you have to publish it.  Especially when doing so potentially damages your own national security.  Disappointed & confused.

Australia has signed up for a conventionally powered variant of the Barracuda class, to equipped with US systems and weapons.  There's not much impact for Australia.