Quantum technologies constitute a major area of interest with real issues leading to new disruptive applications. Their mastery will give their designers a definite advantage, whether in the fields of communications, health, security, energy, space, the environment, etc. The United States, China, Europe, India and many other countries are opening research programs and promote investments with a view to acquiring certain technological sovereignty. My previous paper briefly exposed quantum technologies. In this new paper, after a reminder of the strategic context, the application domains of quantum computing, with some examples in the defense and security sectors, are presented. Elements of analysis of existing investments and ecosystems are presented. The images or figures in the article are the property of their cited authors. References are given at the end of each chapter.
Quantum technologies constitute a major area of interest with real issues leading to new disruptive applications. Their mastery will give their designers a definite advantage, whether in the fields of communications, health, security, energy, space, the environment, etc. The United States, China, Europe, India and many other countries are opening research programs and promote investments with a view to acquiring certain technological sovereignty. My previous paper briefly exposed quantum technologies. In this new paper, after a reminder of the strategic context, the application domains of quantum computing, with some examples in the defense and security sectors, are presented. Elements of analysis of existing investments and ecosystems are presented. The images or figures in the article are the property of their cited authors. References are given at the end of each chapter.
The article focuses on quantum technologies and the prospects for their application in the defense and security sectors. Based on an analysis of the current state of development of quantum technologies and their applications in defense and security, three main areas are identified: quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensors. For each of these, a specific set of applications, advantages, and limitations is identified. It is noted that quantum computing in defense and security finds application primarily in four subfields: post-quantum cryptography, quantum cryptography, cyber threat detection, and cryptanalysis; quantum communication ensures secure information transmission by utilizing the physical properties of quantum states, particularly the principle of the impossibility of cloning a quantum state, with its primary practical application being Quantum key distribution and its promising application being the quantum internet; quantum sensors are the category of quantum technologies closest to operational deployment, as they utilize the hypersensitivity of quantum states to external disturbances to achieve measurement accuracy unattainable by classical devices. A summary of the main areas of application for quantum technologies in defense and security indicates that quantum sensors have the nearest practical implementation horizon (5–7 years), while quantum computing will have the greatest strategic impact on cryptographic infrastructure due to the threat it poses to existing asymmetric encryption algorithms—which is precisely why the transition to post-quantum standards is becoming urgent. Therefore, given the significant interest in and funding for quantum technologies from both the civilian industry and governments, it is expected that these technologies will continue to develop and new quantum applications will become available over the next five to ten years, and new advances in the development of quantum technologies may bring new opportunities for the military, but for the military to actually reap the benefits of new quantum technologies, they need to actively engage in this field and guide the development and implementation of military applications of quantum technologies.
Quantum technology is an emerging and possibly revolutionary field, capable of impacting several human efforts. Quantum technologies are dual-use, attracting interest from the defense, security, military, and governmental sectors. Previous research has highlighted the substantial benefits of using quantum computing systems across several domains. These systems have previously exhibited the capability to accelerate processing in critical domains, such as big integer factorization, relative to their traditional equivalents. The fundamental significance of quantum factoring has been proven for cryptography. This will render RSA encryption, a widely used encryption method based on the inability of computer systems to factor huge integers, effectively useless. Nonetheless, overcoming encryption is not the only potential use or benefit of quantum computing for national defense and security-related objectives. This review paper explores the emerging role of quantum computing in the military and defense sectors. It highlights the significance of recent advancements in quantum technologies for defense applications and provides an overview of defense-focused quantum research. A comprehensive literature survey examined various existing quantum computing techniques relevant to military use. The paper also presents a comparative analysis of these approaches, discusses key challenges, and outlines potential future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
The current realities of the cyber domain could be radically disrupted by the advent of quantum communications and quantum computing. The consequent challenges for future cyber security and strategy require a nuanced analysis of these technologies and their likely employment by major powers. The employment of quantum cryptography can create quantum communications systems that are theoretically unhackable. Within the foreseeable future, quantum computing will be powerful enough to overcome most of today's advanced encryption techniques, rendering the majority of existing commercial, government, and military systems unprecedentedly vulnerable. These quantum technologies could respectively tend to advantage defense and offense in the cyber domain. While the “shield” enabled by quantum communications would contribute to technological deterrence through denial, the asymmetries of vulnerability that might result could potentially undermine military cyber stability, while exacerbating the risks of misperception through complicating intelligence collection. In the more distant future, the advent of quantum computing will enable unique offensive power that could leapfrog existing cyber capabilities. The strategic impact of these disruptive technologies will depend upon the approaches of great powers, particularly the U.S. and China, which have become leaders in this technological domain.
Given the European and global context, the international scientific and technological competition, there are challenges that our society, where the exchange of information is omnipresent, must meet. These are the issues regarding quantum technologies. The countries which master them will have an undeniable strategic advantage in the fields of molecular medicine, new materials, carbon dioxide storage, etc. States, industrial giants, private and academic research consortia are investing massively in fundamental research or breakthrough innovation projects in the communication, computing, simulation, cryptography, metrology and other sectors. quantum sensors. This non-exhaustive article comments on economic and societal issues, describes the state of research, etc. It presents some reminders of quantum mechanics, necessary elements of technology and presents some current and future applications. It offers elements of foresight. Images or figures are the property of their authors cited as the source. For more information, bibliographical references and links to the websites of organizations and institutions are provided.
Quantum technology is an emergent area with the potential to be disruptive and ability to affect many human activities. Quantum technologies are dual-use technologies, and as such, they are the subject of interest for the defence and security industry and military and governmental actors. This report aims to review and map the possible quantum technology military applications to serve as the entry point for international peace and international security assessment, ethics research or military and governmental policy, strategy and decision making. Quantum technologies for military applications, introducing new capabilities, increasing effectiveness and improving precision lead to 'quantum warfare', wherein new military strategies, doctrines, policies and ethics should be established. This report provides a basic overview of quantum technologies under development where the expected time scale of delivery or utilisation impact are estimated. The particular applications of quantum technology for the military are described for various warfare domains (e.g., cyber, space, electronic, underwater warfare, or intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance), and related issues and challenges are articulated.
Quantum technology (QT) is an emergent area with the potential to be disruptive and affect many human activities. QT also is a typical technology with significant dual-use applications. Specifically, the potential QT military applications were recently mapped. Although QTs do not introduce any new standalone weapon systems, they can significantly sharpen present weapon systems as well as command and control systems, including in the cyber domain. On the other hand, they also can provide non-eavesdropping secure communication or enhanced medical imaging. This contribution aims to introduce QTs and their possible applications, current status and activities related to the defence sector. Then, the military-related applications will be discussed more in detail, and potential problems for international security will be mentioned. In the end, we provide arguments why QTs should be assessed, and we ask selected questions that should be answered.