On October 30, 2025, IIT Madras unveiled a pioneering quantum communication network project along Tamil Nadu’s Defence and Industrial Corridor, aiming to secure data exchange for key defense industries in Chennai, Hosur, Coimbatore, Salem, and Trichy. The initiative, under the IIT-M C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation and supported by the Tamil Nadu government, integrates innovative quantum technologies such as photon-based communication and quantum key distribution to ensure tamper-proof, ultra-secure transmissions. This indigenous network leverages quantum mechanics principles, making interception or copying of data detectable and impossible without alerting the parties involved. The launch marks a significant stride in India’s pursuit of future-ready defense technology infrastructure, enhancing operational security and supply chain protection in the rapidly emerging aerospace and defense manufacturing hub. IIT Madras also plans to expand the network into a larger quantum internet backbone connecting major cities nationwide, under the Department of Science and Technology’s National Quantum Mission. This project aligns with India’s ambition to become a global leader in quantum communications and cybersecurity, strengthening sovereignty over critical defense communication systems. The initiative complements IIT Madras’s ongoing breakthroughs, including India’s first high-speed silicon photonics-based quantum random number generator, reinforcing the country’s quantum technology ecosystem.