Military and security dimensions of quantum technologies

Abstract

Quantum technologies are moving rapidly from experimental laboratories to strategic domains, with significant implications for defence, security and international governance. Their distinctiveness lies not only in what they can compute or measure, but also in how they redefine access to knowledge—affecting encryption, sensing, timing and decision-making infrastructures. The potential military relevance of quantum systems has attracted growing attention from alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), from national governments and from multilateral initiatives. Significant capabilities include secure communication (via quantum key distribution, QKD), precise navigation without a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), highly sensitive detection and—eventually— quantum-enhanced computing.