Equipment for Indian Navy will be deployed over the next 12 months: Sanjay Nayak, Tejas Networks

India’s optical networking equipment maker Tejas Networks, with headquarters in Bengaluru, recently bagged an order for deploying Indian Navy’s countrywide next-generation digital communications network from global data network solutions company Sterlite Technologies.

The Indian Navy's communication network is being built as a robust, highly secure, scalable and reliable digital highway for naval operations that will link multiple Indian naval offices and India administered islands. As the master systems integrator, the Indian Navy assigned Sterlite Technologies with a long-term contract for the design, execution, operations, and maintenance of its Digital Network at a pan-India level.

In a brief interaction with Voice&Data, Sanjay Nayak, CEO & MD of Tejas Networks, reveals further details about the contract it bagged from Sterlite.

Voice&Data: As a technology partner to Sterlite Technologies, how will this deal boost Tejas' services to the Indian Navy?

Sanjay Nayak: We are delighted to be a part of this prestigious project to build a pan-India digital communication network for the Indian Navy, which has long-term strategic and security significance for our country. In this project, our designed-and-made-in-India optical (DWDM) and data networking (multi-Gigabit Ethernet switches) products will be deployed. It is a matter of great pride for our company that our fully-indigenous products will be used to create a secure, reliable and scalable digital highway for naval operations that links multiple naval offices and India-administered islands.

Voice&Data: What kind of services will Tejas contribute to this deal?

Sanjay Nayak: As the technology partner of Sterlite Technologies, our role is to supply high-capacity DWDM products and IP/Layer-3 capable multi-gigabit switches for this mission-critical network. We will also be providing maintenance and support services associated with our products.

Voice&Data: By when and how is the deployment of such a large communication network be completed?

Sanjay Nayak: We will be completing our supplies during the current fiscal year. The deployment of the equipment will be done as per the project timelines, over the next 12 months. Tejas has already demonstrated its capabilities in executing complex, carrier-grade and mission-critical networks. For instance, for the Phase-1 of BharatNet project, we were awarded the “Best Performing Equipment Supplier Partner” award from the Government of India.

Voice&Data: Could you reveal some financial details of this deal?

Sanjay Nayak: Tejas has received a purchase order of Rs 111 crores from Sterlite Technologies to supply our products and services for this project. It would be difficult for me to reveal further details on the financials at the moment.