Introduction

Defence corridors refer to a route or path along the domestic production of defence equipment by
PSUs, private sector as well as SMEs in order to enhance the operational capability of the defence
forces.

The planned southern corridor links Bangalore and Chennai and will pass through Hosur, Salem,
Coimbatore and Trichy. As most of the design and proto-typing centres are centred around
Bangalore and Chennai with a concentration of DRDOs and DPSUs, it is logical to have a defence
corridor along this belt.

Since FDI in defence calls for bigger scrutiny, FDI in non-defence R&D can be implemented and the
technologies so developed can be leveraged for defence applications as well. The southern belt is
the global hub for information technology and communication, a lot of ground breaking research is
being carried out in the field of robotics, AI, Data and Internet Security, Cyber Physicals systems by
several niche private entities.

Communication is essential for military operations, although it is difficult to establish in many cases.
Laying cables, deploying equipment and securing connections is time consuming, inflexible and limits
users’ mobility. Network deployment speed can be increased by using wireless technologies.

Vast amounts of data flow through sensors, such as video feeds from drones and mobile phone
intercepts, thus information needs to be communicated in a wireless manner from sensors to
soldiers.

Communication Services

Current Infrastructure

Tamil Nadu has an excellent OFC network and availability of reliable large bandwidth. With 3
Submarine Cables, Chennai has one of the largest bandwidth connected among Indian cities. One of
these submarine cable has the largest bandwidth of 8.4 terabit per second (tbps). This cable links
Chennai with Singapore. The Cable consists of 8 fibre pairs using DWDM Multiplexing with full
capacity of 8.4 tbps when all 105 wavelengths are used. This cable connects with C2C Cable network,
SEA-ME-WE 3 and Asia Pacific Cable Network.

South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE 4) is an optical fibre submarine

communications cable system that carries telecommunications between Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt,
Italy, Tunisia, Algeria and France. This cable also has a landing point in Chennai.

The third submarine cable that has a landing point in Chennai is an India-Singapore Cable System.
The cable with 5.12 terabit per second has significantly increased the existing bandwidth capacity
into India, which is the second fastest growing communications route in the world. All the three
Submarine Cables offer a combined bandwidth of over 14.8 tbps. Reliable availability of bandwidth
has ensured emergence of Chennai as a Data Centre hub

The Government will provide necessary co-ordination and ground work to improve tele-density and
Broadband penetration and ensure 100% reliable and efficient telecom network throughout the
State including through the Tamil Nadu State Wide Area Network (TNSWAN), National Knowledge
Network (NKN), BharatNet and TamilNet Projects. The Government of Tamil Nadu has set up a State
Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre, Cloud computing facilities, Common Service Centres etc.
for enhancing citizen access to online Government services.

Specific SEZs along the proposed Defence Corridor belt

• Salem - Jagirammapalayam • Hosur – Viswanathapuram • Chennai - Sholinganallur • Coimbatore –

Vilankurichi • Trichy - Navalpattu

ICT Policy 2018

a. The Tamil Nadu government unveiled its information, communication and technology (ICT)
2018 policy aimed towards focus on MSMEs and start-ups by providing administrative and
fiscal incentives, capital subsidies and tax exemptions. Some of its focus areas in the field of
communication (IT/ITes) include,

a. Geographic Information Services

b. Data Centre, Research and Processing
c. SMAC
d. Call Centres
e. Internet Service Providers

b. The Government of Tamil Nadu will facilitate single window clearance of all Right of Way
applications for facilitating faster roll-out of connectivity in the State.

c. The Government of Tamil Nadu will facilitate for installation of Base Transceiver Station
(BTS) Towers and Exchanges by the Communication Service Providers.

Specific Research and Applications by Private Players

HCL Info-systems has carried out the design, development and implementation of Defence
Communication Network (DCN), a fully fledged tri service communication and IT Network for the
armed forces. It ensures network centricity across the three services, IDS and SFC. Besides this, HCL
have deployed the AFNet (Air Force Network), AFCEL (Air Force Cellular Network), that allows
communication across high bandwidth and secure IP network.

Convergent Technologies, based out of Bangalore provides local and remote spectrum monitoring
and surveillance systems, and Global Positioning System (GPS) protection against spoofing and
jamming threats.

Keysight Technologies is a leading solution provider to aerospace and defence sector for internet,
wireless communication, space and navigation, and signal intelligence. In network centric warfare,
both speed and quality of information transmission is of paramount importance. LTE being all IP-
technology plays an important role here, offers a plethora of bandwidth options ranging from 1.4
Mhz to 20 Mhz besides providing a high degree of security.
Larsen and Toubro: Through their Bangalore facility, L&T provides the design, development, testing
and execution of high tech surveillance and communication systems such as Satcoms, UHFs etc.