NATO releases first ever quantum strategy

Quantum technologies are getting closer to revolutionising the world of innovation and can be game-changers for security, including modern warfare. Ensuring that the Alliance is ”quantum-ready” is the aim of NATO’s first-ever quantum strategy that was approved by NATO Foreign Ministers on 28th November.

On Wednesday (17th January 2024), NATO released a summary of the strategy.

The strategy outlines how quantum can be applied to defence and security in areas such as sensing, imaging, precise positioning, navigation and timing, improve the detection of submarines, and upgrade and secure data communications using quantum resistant cryptography.

Summary of NATO’s Quantum Technologies Strategy 16th Jan. 2024

Many of these technologies are already used in the private sector and have become the subject of strategic competition. NATO’s quantum strategy helps foster and guide NATO’s cooperation with industry to develop a transatlantic quantum technologies ecosystem, while preparing NATO to defend itself against the malicious use of quantum technologies.

Quantum is one of the technological areas that NATO Allies have prioritized due to their implications for defence and security.These include artificial intelligence, data and computing, autonomy, biotechnology and human enhancements, hypersonic technologies, energy and propulsion, novel materials, next-generation communications networks and space.

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

Their innovations are expected to help progress in the areas of next-generation cryptography, develop high-speed lasers to improve satellite connectivity, and deploy quantum-enhanced 3-D imaging sensors in challenging undersea environments. DIANA also anticipates quantum technologies forming a key part of solutions to its future challenge programme.

Building on its new strategy, NATO will now start work to establish a Transatlantic Quantum Community to engage with government, industry and academia from across the innovation ecosystems.Article by NATO.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

quantum strategy

Read also: Five Eyes intelligence partners launch outreach drive to secure innovation

“This contest is particularly acute on emerging technologies; states which lead the way in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and synthetic biology will have the power to shape all our futures.

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What is Quantum Technology?

Quantum technology represents a groundbreaking paradigm shift in the world of computing, communication, and sensing, harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics to achieve unprecedented capabilities.

At its core, quantum technology leverages the unique properties of quantum bits or qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information.

Unlike classical bits, which can exist in a state of either 0 or 1, qubits can exist in a superposition of both states simultaneously.

This property enables quantum computers to perform complex calculations at speeds that are practically unattainable for classical computers.

One of the most promising applications of quantum technology is quantum computing.

Quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems exponentially faster than classical computers, revolutionizing fields such as cryptography, optimization, and drug discovery.

Companies and research institutions worldwide are actively working on building scalable and error-resistant quantum processors to unlock the full potential of quantum computing.

In the realm of communication, quantum technology offers the prospect of ultra-secure communication through quantum key distribution (QKD).

QKD uses the principles of quantum mechanics to enable the secure exchange of cryptographic keys between parties, preventing eavesdropping attempts as any unauthorized observation would disrupt the quantum state of the key, alerting the users to the intrusion.

Quantum sensors represent another exciting frontier in quantum technology. These sensors exploit quantum phenomena to achieve unprecedented levels of precision in measurements.

For instance, quantum sensors can be utilized in fields like navigation, imaging, and environmental monitoring, providing unparalleled accuracy.

Despite the immense potential, quantum technology is still in its infancy, facing challenges such as qubit stability, error correction, and the development of practical quantum hardware.

However, as research and development progress, quantum technology holds the promise of revolutionizing various industries, ushering in a new era of computing, communication, and sensing that transcends the limitations of classical systems.