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.
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.
With the rapid development of quantum technologies and the growth of complex cyber threats, it is particularly important to create reliable data protection methods that can guarantee the unconditional security of transmitted information.Quantum cryptography works based on stuff like superposition (the ability of particles to be in several states at once), quantum entanglement (how they're connected from a distance), and the fact that it's impossible to exactly copy or change a quantum state.The application of these principles makes it possible to implement quantum key distribution, which ensures the detection of any interference in the communication channel and makes it impossible to intercept information unnoticed.The article analyzes the most well-known quantum cryptographic protocols, in particular BB84 and E91, their architecture, principles of operation, and features of implementation in military conditions.The composition of typical quantum protection systems is considered: light pulse sources, channels for transmitting quantum data, devices for receiving them, information processing modules, and conventional communication channels for control.The issues of compatibility of quantum solutions with the existing infrastructure of military telecommunications systems are considered, and the prospects for hybrid cryptographic models combining quantum and post-quantum approaches are analyzed.A comparative analysis of traditional and quantum cryptography is carried out according to criteria such as reliability, scalability, resistance to attacks, and development potential.The main advantages of using quantum cryptography in the defense sector are highlighted, in particular, ensuring a secure command communication channel, protecting navigation and telemetry systems, and the secure operation of distributed networks in combat conditions.Examples of international developments and research are considered, in particular, the DARPA Quantum Network, the Chinese Micius satellite, and EU projects within the Quantum Flagship initiative.These examples demonstrate the interest of leading countries in introducing quantum technologies into the field of national security.The potential of quantum cryptography as a means of updating and strengthening the cyber defense system in № 8(49) 2025 1018 the defense sector has been identified, taking into account both current challenges and future threats in the digital environment.
The rapid development of quantum technologies opens up new opportunities for the military sphere, inparticular in the fields of cybersecurity, communications, navigation, intelligence and modelling of complex combatscenarios. The article analyses the current state of research in the field of quantum computing, quantum cryptography,quantum sensors and sensors, as well as their potential application to increase the combat capability of the ArmedForces of Ukraine. The possibilities of using quantum algorithms to solve complex optimization problems that can beuseful in military logistics, military resource management and threat forecasting are considered.Particular attention is paid to the prospects for the implementation of quantum technologies to create securecommunication channels that prevent unauthorized interception of information, as well as for the development of newnavigation systems that do not depend on satellite signals and are capable of operating in electronic warfareconditions. The paper also examines the main challenges facing the introduction of quantum technologies into themilitary sphere, in particular technical, financial and organizational barriers.Based on the analysis, key areas of further research have been identified that will contribute to the effectiveintroduction of quantum technologies into the defense sector of Ukraine. Approaches to creating an innovative strategyfor the development of quantum technologies in the military sphere, which involves both scientific research and thepractical implementation of their results in military information systems, communication systems and intelligencemeans, have been proposed.
The various branches of the U.S. military have systematically laid out related projects in quantum technology, accelerating the application of quantum technology in the field of defense. This article analyzes the development trend of quantum technology from four perspectives: defense, funding, industry, and research output. Taking the U.S. military as the main object, based on the Department of Defense’s 2024 fiscal year defense technology budget, it analyzes the project layout of U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in the field of quantum technology; it analyzes the application prospects of quantum technology in defense, and elaborates on the high-precision detection capabilities of quantum sensing technology, the high-speed information processing capabilities of quantum computing, and the secure confidential communication capabilities of quantum communication.
The rapid advancement of digital technologies, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT) and quantum computing (QC), is reshaping modern military operations by enhancing real-time data collection, autonomous decision-making, and situational awareness. IoT-enabled systems, such as UAVs, battlefield sensors, and smart logistics, provide military forces with operational superiority but also introduce significant cybersecurity risks, including espionage, cyber sabotage, and unauthorized access. The emergence of QC further complicates this landscape, as quantum algorithms can break traditional encryption protocols, threatening the security of military communications and IoT infrastructure. However, quantum technologies also offer revolutionary cybersecurity solutions, such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), which leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to ensure secure communication. Despite these advancements, challenges such as the technological maturity of quantum solutions, high implementation costs, and global competition in quantum research pose obstacles to widespread military adoption. This chapter explores the interplay between QC and military IoT security, addressing both the vulnerabilities of IoT systems and the potential of quantum-enhanced security frameworks. By integrating quantum-safe cryptographic techniques, defence organizations can fortify military IoT infrastructure, mitigate cyber threats, and maintain strategic superiority in an era of increasing digital warfare.
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 so-called area of quantum technologies is a new and disruptive technological field, essentially from physics and engineering, with the ability to affect almost all human activities. They are based on the properties of quantum mechanics like quantum tunneling, quantum entanglement, and quantum superposition. Examples of areas of application of these emerging technologies are quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing, quantum cryptography, quantum internet, quantum imaging, quantum metrology, quantum biology, among others. These technologies are of the interest of both the defense and security industry, and military and governmental actors. For military applications, and after a strong advanced engineering process, these technologies introduce new capabilities, improving effectiveness and increasing precision, thus leading to the so-called quantum warfare, wherein new military strategies, doctrines, policies, and ethics should be established. In particular, these military applications of quantum technologies can be described for various warfare domains like land, air, space, electronic, cyber, and underwater warfare and also for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. Among those applications mentioned before, quantum computing is expected to have a number of important uses such as optimization and machine learning, associated to both artificial intelligence and blockchain. Quantum computers are perhaps best known for their expected ability to carry out Shor’s algorithm, which can be used to factorize large numbers and is an important process in the securing of data transmissions, essential for military applications. In this review of our own work, we show the physics and some of the applications of the Josephson junction which plays and important and essential role in the fabrication of quantum computers with superconducting qubits. Nowadays, applications of Josephson junction devices go from the most sensitive sensor to measure magnetic flux, called S.QU.I.D. (from Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) to the core of quantum computers, the quantum bits. The Josephson junction is an old quantum engine for a rising new world with incredible disruptive technological possibilities in engineering, especially in military applications where it plays a fundamental strategic differential for National Security and Defense.