'Quantum Readiness': NATO Begins Work to Establish a Transatlantic Quantum Community

NATO has published a summary of its first quantum strategy, which was endorsed by the Alliance's foreign ministers in late November, with the aim of ensuring the military bloc's "quantum readiness". Most of these technologies are already in use in the private sector and have become the subject of strategic competition, according to NATO.

"Quantum technologies are approaching a revolution in the world of innovation and could fundamentally change the rules of security, including modern warfare. The strategy describes how quantum can be applied to defence and security in areas such as sensing, imaging, precision positioning, navigation and timing, improved submarine detection, and modernising and securing data communications through quantum-resistant cryptography," the Alliance said in an official statement.

Quantum is one of the technology areas that NATO members prioritise because of its impact on defence and security. These include artificial intelligence, data and computing, autonomy, biotechnology and human enhancement, hypersonics, energy and motion, new materials, next-generation communications networks, and space.

Building on its new strategy, NATO will now begin work to establish a Transatlantic Quantum Community to engage with governments, industry and academia from across the innovation ecosystem.

At the same time, the new strategy will prepare NATO to defend against the misuse of quantum technologies.

Quantum technologies are already part of NATO's innovation efforts. Six of the 44 companies selected to participate in NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator North Atlantic (DIANA) programme specialise in quantum technologies. 

Their innovations are expected to help advance next-generation cryptography, develop high-speed lasers to improve satellite communications, and deploy quantum-enhanced 3D imaging sensors in challenging underwater environments. DIANA also envisages that quantum technologies will be a key part of the solutions to its future challenge programme. 

A summary of NATO's new Quantum Strategy is available here.