Summary of NATO’s Quantum Technologies Strategy

Introduction

Recent advancements in quantum technologies are bringing us closer to a profound shift for science and technology – one that will have far-reaching implications for our economies, security and defence. These technologies could revolutionise sensing; imaging; precise positioning, navigation and timing; communications; computing; modelling; simulation; and information science. Quantum technologies have potentially revolutionary and disruptive implications, which can degrade the Alliance’s ability to deter and defend. Quantum technologies are therefore an element of strategic competition.
Quantum technologies have the potential to offer capabilities in computing, communications and situational awareness that are unparalleled to technology currently available to the Alliance and that could constitute a significant strategic advantage. However, quantum technologies can equally enable our strategic competitors and potential adversaries.

Strategic Vision: A Quantum-ready Alliance

To become a quantum-ready Alliance, NATO and Allies will foster the development of a secure, resilient and competitive quantum ecosystem that is able to respond to the fast pace of technological competition in the quantum industry. This requires coherence in investment, cooperation among Allies in technology development opportunities, development and protection of skilled workforce, and increased situational awareness as well as information sharing. It will also require development and deployment of critical enabling technologies that quantum technologies require. It is equally important to deter and defend our own systems and networks against quantum-enabled and other attacks.
To achieve the strategic ambition of becoming a quantum-ready Alliance, NATO and Allies will harness quantum technologies in support of the Alliance’s core tasks, driving toward the following desired outcomes:

Allies and NATO have identified the most promising military and dual-use quantum applications, experiments, and integration of quantum technologies that meet defence planning and capability development requirements;
NATO has developed, adopted and implemented frameworks, policies and standards for both software and hardware to enhance interoperability;
Allies have cooperated in the development of quantum technologies with a view to maintain NATO’s technological edge and Allies’ abilities in the field;
NATO has identified, understood and capitalised on evolving quantum technologies advancements, including with enabling technologies and in convergence with other EDTs;
NATO has a Transatlantic Quantum Community to strategically engage with government, industry and academia from across our innovation ecosystems;
NATO has transitioned its cryptographic systems to quantum-safe cryptography;
Relevant quantum strategies, policies and action plans are dynamically updated and executed; and
Allies have become aware of, and act to prevent, on a voluntary basis, adversarial investments and interference into our quantum ecosystems, which can include, on a national basis, the examination of relevant supply chains.

Further, NATO will provide the leading transatlantic forum for quantum technologies in defence and security, helping to continuously build on our shared understanding, and leveraging the potential of quantum technologies while safeguarding against its adversarial use.

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