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In the rapidly evolving landscape of global defense and security, the quantum revolution is emerging as a transformative force, poised to reshape military strategies, intelligence operations, and cybersecurity frameworks. Quantum technologies—spanning quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing—are no longer confined to theoretical physics labs. Unlike conventional systems, quantum technologies harness principles such as superposition and entanglement, enabling them to perform tasks far beyond the capability of classical devices. As nations invest heavily in quantum research, these advancements are becoming central to national security agendas, promising both unparalleled capabilities and new vulnerabilities that must be managed carefully. They are swiftly becoming integral components of national defense agendas, triggering a high-stakes race among global powers to harness their disruptive potential.
Quantum Growth
As of 2024, the global quantum technology market is projected to reach approximately $2.7 billion, with expectations to grow to $9.4 billion by 2030. This rapid expansion underscores the strategic importance of achieving quantum supremacy—a state where quantum computers outperform classical counterparts—in the geopolitical arena. Nations such as the United States, China, Canada, Australia, and European countries are heavily investing in quantum research and development, recognizing the profound economic, military, and public health advantages that leadership in this field could confer.
Therefore achieving quantum supremacy has become a geopolitical priority for countries like Europe, China, Canada, Australia and the United States. The advantage gained by acquiring the first computer that renders all other computers obsolete would be enormous and bestow economic, military, and public health advantages to the winner.
As of 2024, Russia has intensified its investment in quantum computing. The government has approved a roadmap for developing high-tech fields, including quantum computing, with the goal of creating a quantum computer with a capacity of at least 50 qubits. Researchers have developed Russia’s first prototype of a 50-qubit quantum computer based on neutral rubidium atoms, marking a significant step toward achieving this objective.
France has also made notable progress in quantum technology. Three years into its ambitious €1.8 billion national quantum strategy, the country has positioned itself as a key player in the global quantum ecosystem. French companies now produce a significant share of the world’s quantum computers and contribute substantially to the global quantum workforce. The strategy allocates nearly €800 million to quantum computers, with substantial investments in both partially quantum machines and fully-fledged quantum computers. Additional funding is designated for sensors, post-quantum cryptography, quantum communications, and supporting technologies like cryogenics. This comprehensive approach underscores France’s commitment to becoming a leader in quantum innovation.
Across Europe, nations are making significant strides in quantum technology. The European Commission has launched a large-scale quantum research initiative focused on communication, computation, simulation, and sensing. Germany has also allocated substantial funding for quantum research, strengthening its position in the development of cutting-edge quantum technologies.
China has poured billions of dollars into its quantum programs. Other countries accelerating their investments include Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and several Asia-Pacific nations including Japan.
India has also announced a $1 billion investment into quantum technologies. Indian researchers have made significant strides in quantum technologies. Scientists have successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement, achieving Bell’s parameter greater than 2.2 and quantum visibility exceeding 80%, marking a pivotal advancement in India’s quantum research capabilities. Additionally, Indian scientists have developed efficient methods to quantify quantum entanglement in higher-dimensional systems, further contributing to the global quantum research community. These developments highlight India’s growing role in the global quantum landscape, as the nation continues to invest in and advance its quantum research initiatives.
These global efforts highlight the growing recognition of quantum technology as a strategic priority, with nations striving for leadership in this transformative field.
The Strategic and Military Importance of Quantum Technologies
The possibilities afforded by advanced quantum information technologies may affect some of the most important national security tools and tasks, such as intelligence collection, solution optimization, encryption, stealth technology, computer processing, and communications. Indeed, the diversity of quantum applications across the national security domain warrants some immediate concern, both for how we can harness quantum systems and for how those quantum systems may undercut our security.
Unlike traditional computing systems, quantum computers leverage the principles of superposition and entanglement, enabling them to process complex calculations at speeds unimaginable with classical machines. This computational power holds the potential to crack even the most advanced encryption protocols, posing a significant threat to current cybersecurity infrastructures.
A classical computer encodes information in bits that can represent binary states of either 0 or 1, whereas a quantum computer encodes information in qubits, each of which can represent 0, 1, or a combination of 0 and 1 at the same time. Thus, the power of a quantum computer increases exponentially with the addition of each qubit. Quantum computers will play an important role in data encryption including the optimization of computational algorithms for modeling systems, big data, and artificial intelligence. They would be able to crack the codes underlying internet security in just a few minutes, however, full-scale quantum computers are still potentially decades away.
Meanwhile, quantum communication—particularly through quantum key distribution (QKD)—promises virtually unhackable communication channels. QKD relies on the principles of quantum mechanics to detect any eavesdropping attempts, ensuring secure data transmission for military and diplomatic communications. Additionally, quantum sensors can offer unparalleled accuracy in navigation, targeting, and surveillance, even in environments where GPS signals are compromised. The promise of quantum technologies in defense and security extends well beyond secure communications and advanced sensors.
Quantum Computers
Quantum computers, although still in early development stages, hold the potential to solve complex optimization problems, crack encryption protocols, and simulate physical systems with unparalleled speed. This disruptive capability could revolutionize military logistics, strategic planning, and even artificial intelligence applications in warfare. As the global race intensifies, nations are not only competing to develop and deploy these quantum systems but are also grappling with the challenges of ensuring ethical use, data security, and regulatory compliance. The emerging quantum frontier represents both an immense opportunity and a profound strategic challenge—one that will undoubtedly shape the future of global defense and security in the decades to come.
Quantum Computing for Codebreaking
Quantum computing holds immense potential for revolutionizing computational tasks, particularly in the realm of cryptanalysis. Unlike classical computers that encode information in bits, quantum computers use qubits that can represent multiple states simultaneously, offering exponential increases in processing power. This capability could enable quantum computers to crack conventional encryption methods that protect sensitive military and governmental communications, thereby necessitating the development of post-quantum cryptography. While fully functional quantum computers remain on the horizon, their potential to accelerate codebreaking and optimize complex defense calculations is already driving a global race for quantum supremacy, with significant implications for national security and cybersecurity strategies.
DOD scientists and civilian partners are working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop new cryptographic standards that ensure information stays private even under threat from quantum computers. If future quantum computers threaten the security of today’s encryption methods, another side of the quantum coin – quantum cryptography – can permit unbreakable encryption. In fact, quantum cryptography could offer complete security based on physics, invulnerable to computing power.
Quantum Cryptography
Quantum cryptography represents a groundbreaking advancement in securing military communications. By employing techniques such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum cryptography leverages the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to create encryption methods that are nearly impossible to breach. Because any attempt to intercept or measure quantum states inevitably alters them, these systems can immediately detect eavesdropping, thereby safeguarding sensitive information from espionage and cyber-attacks. This inherent security provides defense networks with a robust, tamper-evident communication channel that is essential in an era where data integrity is paramount.
To date, QKD has been successfully tested using fiber optics and in satellite communications and has even hosted the first quantum-encrypted videoconference. Today, many of a nation’s most sensitive secrets, such as nuclear launch codes or sensitive intelligence, are protected via symmetric encryption where both sender and receiver share a key. This can be a nearly unbreakable form of encryption, but it does require the physical exchange of new code sheets or digital keys, often via truck, helicopter, or hand courier. QKD offers one way to speed up the exchange of those keys over long distances while remaining secure, making it well suited for protecting sensitive national security communications.
While there may be great potential for quantum encryption to protect a government’s or a company’s sensitive secrets, quantum communication’s real use may emerge as an enabler for quantum computing. Given the small number of quantum computers likely to exist in the foreseeable future, connecting multiple such computers together could not only improve performance but also increase access to these important quantum tools. While such a network of quantum computers is likely some time off, as it would require the development of new forms of quantum communication far more advanced than today’s QKD, it could introduce entirely new uses for quantum computing, much as the internet did while connecting classical computers.
Quantum Radar and Sensing
Another transformative application is quantum radar and sensing, which dramatically enhance detection capabilities across a range of military scenarios. Unlike traditional radar systems that rely on conventional electromagnetic signals, quantum radar exploits quantum entanglement and quantum illumination to generate high-resolution images of targets. This technology is capable of detecting stealth aircraft, submarines, and other concealed threats with unprecedented precision, fundamentally revolutionizing surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The ability to extract detailed information from minimal signal emissions also means that quantum radar systems are much harder for adversaries to detect or jam, thereby providing a strategic edge in contested environments.
One of the most promising applications in this quantum revolution is quantum radar and LIDAR. Unlike traditional radar and LIDAR systems that emit radio waves or light particles and measure their reflections, quantum radar leverages quantum entanglement to produce high-definition images of targets while emitting minimal energy, making the radar itself nearly undetectable. By pairing entangled photons—one directed towards the target and the other retained for reference—this system can capture detailed information about an object’s speed, distance, and even specific features, such as the type of aircraft or its weapon payload. Similarly, quantum LIDAR holds the potential to revolutionize underwater warfare by silently detecting obstacles like mines or other submarines without the acoustic signature of conventional sonar.
Quantum Gravimetry
Quantum gravimeters can detect minute variations in gravitational fields, allowing for the identification of underground bunkers, tunnels, and submarines hidden beneath the ocean surface. This could revolutionize anti-submarine warfare (ASW) by eliminating the advantage of stealth that submarines currently enjoy. A gravimeter will even detect things that don’t emit any kind of electromagnetic signal. These gravimeters could be deployed on aircraft (or, in the future, satellites) to detect deep underground bunkers, missile silos, or indeed any cavity –without the adversary knowing it has been detected.
In the military sphere, this has obvious applications for collateral damage estimation (CDE). Currently, data-intensive CDE methodology is both sophisticated and accurate, but only in relation to what it can detect. Namely, by sensing the number and size of buildings, the likely material components of those buildings, and other objects and explosives around an intended strike site, and by applying this to the blast radius of the intended munition, CDE methodology can determine both a collateral effects radius and the severity of damage within that radius. From there, the system detects and includes (or is fed data estimates on) the number of people within the radius to produce a relatively accurate final assessment of collateral damage (including incidental injury to civilians).
However, in cases where chemicals, explosives and other collateral effects-inducing objects are concealed or otherwise not taken into account, the CDE methodology will underestimate the true level of collateral damage that actually occurs from an attack. Gravity sensors will go some way to addressing this information gap, enabling those who are planning an attack to take into account underground objects, which may include heavy metallic items or even pipes liable to release dangerous forces, such as gas. It should be noted that the current situation of imperfect knowledge does not affect the legal assessment of proportionality, which hinges on the ‘expected’ and not the actual collateral damage caused. Nonetheless, being better-informed about underground objects that may increase the CDE assessments will undoubtedly improve the decision-making of commanders, and it gives them the opportunity to avoid PR disasters from heavy civilian casualties.
One more fascinating application of Quantum technology is ‘ghost imaging’ . Put simply, this combines pictures of a target object (along with all the heat- and smoke-based distortions generated by military action) with light beams reflected directly from the target. Correlating those measurements derives an artificially-generated, but vastly improved holographic image of an object that might be two or so miles away on a smoky battlefield. Essentially, the system is computing the paths that light takes to the target and back to the sensors, and it corrects for distortions on the actual image. Undoubtedly, this will allow machines to more accurately classify persons as either combatants or civilians (as well as objects as being of a civilian or military nature) on a battlefield, thereby enabling it to fulfil the distinction task more effectively (all else being equal).
Quantum Magnetometers
These devices can detect subtle changes in magnetic fields, aiding in the detection of stealth aircraft that are designed to evade traditional radar. They could also enhance navigation capabilities in GPS-denied environments, providing precise positioning data for military units operating in remote or hostile regions.
Quantum Navigation
Quantum navigation offers a critical solution for military operations in GPS-denied or contested environments. By utilizing the precision of quantum sensors—such as quantum gyroscopes and gravimeters—these systems deliver navigation data that is independent of satellite-based positioning. This capability ensures that military assets, including aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles, can maintain accurate positioning and timing even when traditional GPS signals are disrupted or intentionally jammed. The precision and reliability of quantum navigation not only enhance operational efficiency but also ensure the safety and effectiveness of missions in hostile or uncertain conditions.
In 2013, the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) released the influential report “UK Quantum Technology Landscape 2014,” marking a pivotal moment in the national effort to harness quantum technologies for defense and security. This report provided an early assessment of how quantum technologies could revolutionize military capabilities, from enhanced sensing and secure communications to advanced computing and navigation. It outlined key areas of opportunity—such as quantum clocks, gravity sensors, and quantum optics—and predicted that these disruptive technologies would eventually become game-changing differentiators for national defense over a 5- to 30-year time scale, potentially evolving into a multi-billion-pound industry that would also benefit the broader economy.
The report emphasized that technologies like quantum gravimeters and superconducting magnetometers hold particular promise for military applications. Quantum gravimeters, for instance, could detect subtle changes in the gravitational field caused by moving masses, such as submarines or underground structures, offering a new edge in surveillance and intelligence gathering. Similarly, quantum radar systems—using entangled particles to create high-definition images of targets—could provide unprecedented detection capabilities, even against stealth aircraft. The report warned that if fully operational, these systems might even neutralize current stealth technologies, forcing adversaries to develop countermeasures and fundamentally altering the strategic landscape.
Global Powers Leading the Quantum Arms Race
Quantum technologies will lead to major advances in precision timing, sensors and computation, destined to have a major impact on the finance, defence, aerospace, energy, infrastructure and telecommunications sectors. Several nations are heavily investing in quantum research to gain economic and military advantage. The dual-use nature of quantum computing means that private companies and universities will also play key roles in inventing and adapting these new technologies.
Globally, quantum technologies are spurring an arms race among leading nations. While the United States is heavily investing through initiatives like the National Quantum Initiative Act and DARPA projects, China has demonstrated groundbreaking achievements with its Micius satellite, which has successfully enabled quantum-encrypted communication over long distances. Meanwhile, Israel continues to gain attention from major tech companies, driven by a vibrant startup culture and strategic investments in quantum computing research. Israeli ventures have attracted significant capital from Intel, Amazon, Google, and Nvidia, positioning the country as a rising leader in quantum innovations, despite challenges such as a shortage of specialized engineers.
The United States
The U.S. has been at the forefront of quantum research, driven by both civilian and defense agencies. The National Quantum Initiative Act, signed in 2018, has accelerated quantum R&D with significant investments from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The U.S. military envisions quantum technologies enhancing secure battlefield communications, advanced radar systems, and next-generation cryptographic solutions to counter cyber threats.
China
China has emerged as a formidable competitor in the quantum race, investing heavily in quantum technologies as part of its national strategy. The launch of the Micius satellite in 2016 marked a milestone, demonstrating successful quantum-encrypted communication between space and ground stations. China’s focus extends to developing quantum radar systems capable of detecting stealth aircraft and quantum navigation systems designed to operate independently of GPS, providing a strategic advantage in electronic warfare scenarios.
The Chinese military and China’s defense industry have also taken a keen interest in quantum technology. In 2017 China achieved what no other country has been able to then or since in quantum communications. In a world-first long-distance secure quantum communication, Chinese physicists connected Beijing with Shanghai – a distance of over 1,900 kilometers. They were able to demonstrate a secure key, distributed using quantum bits of light, or photons, from earth to their satellite and back down to earth. And in another world-first they were able to transmit a video signal encoded from this quantum secure key to make a secure video call from China to Austria. It was only possible because of the world’s first quantum satellite, known as Micius. The Micius satellite has now successfully completed QKD from orbit to ground stations in Xinglong, China, and Graz, Austria. These two milestones were celebrated worldwide, primarily by scientists, and highlighted to the scientific and military establishments in the US and Europe just how far in front China has developed their quantum technologies. And quantum cryptography could give China an edge in securing military communications.
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may hope to use advances in quantum radar and sensing to offset the U.S. military’s superiority in stealth technology, which could be vulnerable to this new type of detection. In November 2018, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), China’s biggest defense electronics company, unveiled a prototype radar that it claims can detect stealth aircraft in flight.
CETC’s work is part of a long-term effort by China to turn itself into a world leader in quantum technology. The country is providing generous funding for new quantum research centers at universities and building a national research center for quantum science that’s slated to open in 2020. It’s already leaped ahead of the US in registering patents in quantum communications and cryptography.
The European Union
The European Union (EU) has launched the Quantum Flagship Program, a €1 billion initiative aimed at consolidating Europe’s position in quantum technologies. Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands are investing in quantum networks for secure communications and exploring military applications through collaborative defense projects. The EU’s approach emphasizes both sovereignty in quantum technologies and the development of robust security infrastructures against quantum-enabled cyber threats.
Russia
Russia views quantum technologies as critical to its national security, with the military prioritizing quantum computing for cryptanalysis and quantum sensors for strategic defense systems. Russian defense agencies are exploring quantum radar technologies to counter stealth capabilities and enhance surveillance, particularly in the Arctic region, where maintaining strategic dominance is crucial.
As the global race intensifies, nations are not only competing to develop and deploy these quantum systems but are also grappling with the challenges of ensuring ethical use, data security, and regulatory compliance. The emerging quantum frontier represents both an immense opportunity and a profound strategic challenge—one that will undoubtedly shape the future of global defense and security in the decades to come.
The Challenges of Quantum Tehnologies
While quantum technologies offer transformative potential, they also pose new risks. The possibility of quantum-enabled cyber warfare could render current encryption standards obsolete, exposing critical military and governmental data. The shift toward quantum-based capabilities may also trigger an arms race, destabilizing existing geopolitical balances as nations rush to achieve technological supremacy.
These transformations consist not only of making possible functions that are not possible by other means, but also in enabling improvements in the size, weight, power requirements, speed, or ease of use – in some cases, by orders of magnitude – over functionality provided by conventional technologies. . Moving from the laboratory to industry to widespread adoption presents engineering and manufacturing challenges, may be disruptive and will require market confidence and the development of supply chains.
Risks in Quantum Military Integration
Moreover, the dual-use nature of quantum technologies—applicable in both civilian and military contexts—complicates efforts to establish international norms and regulations. Unlike nuclear technology, quantum advancements are harder to monitor and control, raising concerns about proliferation and the potential misuse by non-state actors or rogue nations.
One of the primary challenges in integrating quantum technologies into military operations is the inherent fragility of quantum systems. Quantum devices rely on delicate quantum states, such as superposition and entanglement, which are extremely sensitive to external disturbances. Maintaining quantum coherence over long distances or in harsh battlefield environments is a significant technical hurdle. This fragility limits the immediate deployment of field-ready quantum devices, requiring further advancements in engineering and error-correction techniques to ensure reliable performance under real-world conditions.
Cost and scalability also present major obstacles. Quantum technologies necessitate substantial investments in specialized infrastructure and highly skilled personnel. The complexity of designing, building, and maintaining quantum systems means that widespread adoption in military settings is not yet economically feasible. Scaling these technologies from experimental prototypes to robust, deployable systems will demand significant financial resources and a long-term commitment to research and development, posing challenges for defense budgets and procurement processes.
Another critical challenge is the standardization and interoperability of quantum technologies. Modern military operations often involve coalition forces and multinational collaborations, making seamless interoperability across different platforms and nations essential. However, the current landscape of quantum research is fragmented, with various countries and organizations developing their own proprietary systems. Establishing common standards and ensuring compatibility among quantum devices remains a complex task, one that is vital for integrating quantum capabilities into a unified defense strategy.
Finally, the deployment of quantum-enhanced systems raises ethical and strategic risks that must be carefully managed. The potential use of quantum technologies in autonomous weapons or advanced surveillance systems brings about significant concerns regarding accountability, privacy, and the possibility of escalating military conflicts. As nations pursue quantum supremacy, they must also address these ethical dilemmas and develop robust regulatory frameworks to prevent destabilization and ensure that quantum advancements are used responsibly within the global security context.
Conclusion: The Quantum Frontier in Defense and Security
As nations vie for dominance in the quantum realm, the defense landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. Quantum technologies are not just the next frontier of scientific discovery—they are rapidly becoming strategic assets that could determine military superiority in the 21st century. The race is on, and the stakes are high.
For countries that lead in this quantum revolution, the rewards will be substantial: secure communication networks, advanced surveillance capabilities, and unparalleled computational power. But with great power comes great responsibility, as the challenge lies not only in harnessing quantum’s potential but also in managing the risks and maintaining global security in this new era of technological warfare.
References and Resources also include:
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/2/26/spending-on-quantum-tech-on-the-upswing
