Security breach : Theft in INS Vikrant points out the need to be alert

Kochi : Computer parts including hard disks and random access memory cards were reportedly stolen from India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant being built at the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi raising fears of a major security breach, a senior official said.

The shipyard authorities have no idea when the incident took place but it was noticed on Sunday. Officials said there were no camera inside the ship as the work was going on.

The Cochin Shipyard Limited official said a multi-agency probe has started into the theft. The Kerala police also registered a case on Monday after the Cochin Shipyard Limited general manager filed a complaint.

The DGP of Kerala (Director General of Police) Loknath Behra has confirmed the theft but refused to give details saying the investigation was at a preliminary stage.

The Indiana Navy’s southern naval command in Kochi played down the issue saying it was not a security breach.

Based on the reports from the Cochin Shipyard Limited, four hard disks, random access memory cards and a processor were stolen after dismantling four computers which were installed in the ship.

The theft came to light when some of the systems did not function during a test. The Central Industrial Security Force which guards the outer periphery of the shipyard also began its investigation, said the official. The theft might have been committed by some insiders, he said.

Details of the carrier

The Indian navy has named its first home-built carrier INS Vikrant in honour of INS Vikrant . The new carrier is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, and will displace 40,000 t (44,000 short tons).The keel was laid down in February 2009 and she was launched in August 2013. India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier is expected to be commissioned in 2021. It is located at the Cochin Shipyard Limited, the country’s largest ship-building and maintenance facility in Kochi.