"NATO Unveils First Quantum Strategy, Aiming for 'Quantum-Ready' Defence and Security"
## Introduction
NATO has released its first-ever quantum strategy, aiming to ensure the Alliance is "quantum-ready". The strategy outlines the application of quantum technologies in defence and security, including sensing, imaging, precise positioning, navigation, timing, submarine detection, and secure data communications. The strategy also aims to foster cooperation with the industry to develop a transatlantic quantum technologies ecosystem. Six of the 44 companies in NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme specialise in quantum technologies, contributing to next-generation cryptography, high-speed lasers for satellite connectivity, and quantum-enhanced 3-D imaging sensors.
## NATO's Quantum Strategy Unveiled
NATO has recently released its first-ever quantum strategy, aiming to ensure that the Alliance is prepared for the potential revolutionary impact of quantum technologies on innovation and security, including modern warfare. The strategy was approved by NATO Foreign Ministers on 28 November and a summary was released on 17 January 2024. The strategy outlines how quantum technologies can be applied to defence and security in areas such as sensing, imaging, precise positioning, navigation and timing, submarine detection, and data communications security through quantum resistant cryptography.
## Quantum Technologies and Strategic Competition
Quantum technologies, which are already being utilized in the private sector, have become a subject of strategic competition. NATO's quantum strategy aims to guide and foster the Alliance's cooperation with industry to develop a transatlantic quantum technologies ecosystem. This is in preparation for defending against potential 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, alongside 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 in NATO's Innovation Efforts
Quantum technologies are already incorporated into NATO's innovation efforts. Six out of the 44 companies selected to join NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme specialize in quantum. The innovations from these companies are expected to contribute to advancements in next-generation cryptography, the development of high-speed lasers to improve satellite connectivity, and the deployment of quantum-enhanced 3-D imaging sensors in challenging undersea environments. DIANA also anticipates that quantum technologies will form a key part of solutions to its future challenge programme.
## Building a Transatlantic Quantum Community
Following the release of its new strategy, NATO plans to establish a Transatlantic Quantum Community. This community will engage with government, industry, and academia from across the innovation ecosystems. The aim is to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, ensuring that NATO and its allies are at the forefront of quantum technology development and application, particularly in the context of defence and security. This move signifies NATO's commitment to staying ahead in the technological race and ensuring the security of the Alliance in the face of rapidly advancing technologies.
"Quantum technologies are getting closer to revolutionizing 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 28 November." - NATO
"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." - NATO
"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." - NATO
"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." - NATO
"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." - NATO
## Summary
NATO has developed its first-ever quantum strategy, aiming to apply quantum technologies to areas such as defence, security, and data communications. The strategy also includes the establishment of a Transatlantic Quantum Community to foster cooperation with industry and academia in the development of a transatlantic quantum technologies ecosystem.
- NATO has released its first-ever quantum strategy, aiming to ensure the Alliance is "quantum-ready" for potential security and warfare applications.
- The strategy was approved by NATO Foreign Ministers on 28 November and released on 17 January 2024.
- The strategy details how quantum technologies can be applied to defence and security, including sensing, imaging, precise positioning, navigation, timing, submarine detection, and data communication security through quantum-resistant cryptography.
- NATO's quantum strategy aims to foster cooperation with the industry to develop a transatlantic quantum technologies ecosystem and prepare NATO against malicious use of quantum technologies.
- Quantum technologies are among the technological areas prioritised by NATO Allies due to their implications for defence and security.
- Six of the 44 companies selected to join NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme specialise in quantum technologies. Their innovations are expected to contribute to next-generation cryptography, high-speed lasers for improved satellite connectivity, and quantum-enhanced 3-D imaging sensors for undersea environments.
- NATO plans to establish a Transatlantic Quantum Community to engage with government, industry, and academia across the innovation ecosystems.
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