Scorpene leak: most 'incompetent' Defence Minister of free India

The Congress party on Thursday described Manohar Parrikar as India's "most incompetent and careless" defence minister, and alleged that he is guilty of a facilitating a cover-up in the leak of secret details related to the six Scorpene submarines.

"The Defence Minister started off with passing the buck. I think this is one of the most incompetent defence ministers we have had in free India. He talks about hacking, the Navy talks about the source being outside India without any investigation. This defence minister we charge has been careless and is trying to cover-up," Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI.

Demanding that the complete enquiry be monitored by the judicial process to get to the bottom of the issue, Vadakkan said, "This is the security of India, not about a political party. If the minister has failed or the offices have failed, the culprit must be nailed."

According to The Australian, the leak details the entire secret combat capability of the six Scorpene-class submarines that French shipbuilder DCNS has designed for the Indian Navy.

Meanwhile, DCNS said that the matter is being thoroughly investigated by the proper French national authorities for defence security.

"DCNS has been made aware of articles published in the Australian press related to the leakage of sensitive data about the Indian Scorpenes. This is a serious matter that is being thoroughly investigated by the proper French national authorities for defense security," the company said in a statement.

As per reports, the 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.