The UK Ministry of Defence has released its new Defence Investment Plan (DIP), establishing a clear shift in how the military intends to procure, scale, and deploy emerging technologies. For the quantum ecosystem, this document marks a critical transition: quantum is moving decisively out of experimental labs and directly into defence procurement pipelines. The Strategic Framework At the core of this strategy is a £1.6 billion commitment to UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) (approx. €1.85B) over the next four years. Crucially, this funding targets “dual-use” technologies. The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognizes that building a resilient quantum supply chain requires deep integration with commercial industry, rather than relying on isolated defence-specific R&D. For industry leaders, system integrators, and deep-tech startups, the plan highlights three primary areas where quantum capabilities are being fast-tracked into frontline deployment: Sovereign Navigation & Alternative PNT: Electronic warfare and satellite jamming have made GPS vulnerability a top operational risk. The DIP explicitly prioritizes quantum sensing and atomic clocks to enable precise, un-jammable navigation across contested environments—reducing reliance on space-based assets. Hardening the Digital Backbone: With the long-term cryptographic risks posed by quantum computing developments, the MOD is prioritizing the immediate integration of quantum-resistant cryptography into command-and-control networks to secure communications against future intercept-now, decrypt-later tactics. Multi-Domain Hardware Integration: Quantum systems are no longer treated as standalone projects. The investment plan mandates integrating these technologies into high-priority platforms, including the Navy, Combat Air and intelligence. The Industrial Outlook For the quantum industry, the message is clear: the defence sector is shifting its focus from basic scientific discovery to engineering, manufacturing, and high-TRL (Technology Readiness Level) deployment. To participate in these procurement pipelines, companies must comply with national security regulations and demonstrate clear pathways toward European and allied technological sovereignty. QBN Members Briefing The briefing paper analysing the specific sub-systems, procurement timelines, and supply chain implications of the UK Defence Investment Plan is available for you to read directly in the private Member Area. QBN WG Quantum Technologies for Defence & Security The QBN Working Group Quantum Technologies for Defence & Security (WG QDS) serves as the strategic bridge between deep-tech innovators, ministries of defence, and military stakeholders. Backed by a powerful network of over 70 quantum vendors and defence primes, alongside 20+ public institutions and international MoDs, we help dual-use quantum companies navigate complex regulations. Together, we translate high-level defence policy into actionable steps, lower compliance and integration barriers for SMEs, design clear product-to-capability roadmaps, and facilitate high-trust ecosystem matchmaking. More about WG QDS

Munich, Germany – July 1, 2026 – The Quantum Business Network (QBN) has officially issued a comprehensive position paper in response to the newly released “Quantum Technologies Roadmap” (Version 1.0, May 2026) under Germany’s High-Tech Agenda Germany (HTAD). Recognizing the roadmap as a significant programmatic step forward, QBN is calling on federal ministries and decision-makers to rapidly transition the strategy from a research-centric plan into a high-execution, market-driven industrial implementation agenda. Last week, QBN officially handed over the position paper to leadership at several key federal ministries, including the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), and the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg). The paper outlines a clear consensus from the German quantum industry: while the roadmap establishes valuable, measurable milestones and correctly prioritizes technology transfer and pilot lines, a critical gap remains regarding operational agility, supply chain security, and commercial viability. Addressing Operational Shortfalls and Strategic Risks A structured consultation conducted by QBN across its network revealed that a striking 70% of surveyed quantum companies already face operational or strategic risks due to systemic gaps in the current framework. Chief among these concerns are slow and bureaucratic funding procedures – which contrast sharply with the agile, rapid-turnaround funding models utilized in competing markets like the USA, Singapore, and China. Furthermore, 60% of companies are currently exploring growth capital options or corporate structures outside of Europe due to a severe shortage of domestic scale-up financing, while 43% report critical dependencies on non-European suppliers for foundational components and enabling technologies. Six Industrial Priorities for Germany’s Quantum Economy To safeguard technological sovereignty and protect future domestic value creation, the QBN position paper urges the federal government to refine the roadmap across six core action areas: Translate the Roadmap into an Implementation Agenda Launch a Dedicated Funding Line for Enabling Technologies Drive Mission-Oriented Public Procurement Accelerate Funding & Mobilize Growth Capital Focus on Steering Industrial Use Cases Align the Talent Agenda with Industrial Competencies A Long Tradition of Trusted Ecosystem Advocacy This position paper builds upon QBN’s long-standing tradition of bridging the gap between industry, science, and public policy. Following its appointment as an official partner of Germany’s High-Tech Agenda Digital (HTAD), QBN has consistently driven industrial alignment. The current paper acts as a direct continuation of QBN’s continuous contributions, which include the industry workshop of December 2025, a subsequent position paper that directly informed the government’s roadmap drafting process, and an ongoing strategic dialogue with the BMFTR and other federal entities to align funding frameworks with commercial realities.  “Research funding remains necessary, but it is no longer sufficient on its own,” stated Johannes Verst, CEO of QBN. “For Germany and Europe to secure a competitive quantum economy, the focus must shift rapidly to productization, robust supply chains, and active market creation before it is too late and we lose another industrial revolution. QBN and its members stand fully ready to co-design and accelerate this implementation phase.”   About QBN QBN is the global industrial network for quantum technologies, dedicated to fostering commercialization, cross-sector collaboration, and structured dialogue between industry, academia, and political stakeholders. Founded in 2020, QBN brings together over 120 international members across the entire value chain ranging from world-leading startups and established tech corporations to research organizations, deep-tech investors, and state institutions. By driving the industrial adoption of quantum computing, sensing, and secure communications, QBN actively contributes to allied technological sovereignty, economic growth, and national security.   Contact Quantum Business Network UG Dipl.-Phys. Johannes Verst, Managing Director Fürkhofstr. 9, 81927 München, Germany   Phone: +49 89 9545 9079 Email: contact@qbn.world Website: www.qbn.world

We are proud to share that the German Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has named QBN as an official partner that contributes to the success of the High-Tech Agenda Germany (HTAD) and its quantum technologies roadmap. Standing alongside long-term partners and friends like the PTB, the collaborative project QR.N and other key deeptech players is both a great honour and a significant validation of our work. Shaping Policy with Industry Reality For more than six years, QBN has provided a strong, unified voice for the quantum industry. This recognition from the German Government underscores the vital role the commercial ecosystem plays in national strategy, technological sovereignty and economic competitiveness. A national roadmap only works if it aligns with the real-world challenges faced by startups, corporations, end-users and investors. Over the past year, QBN has actively worked to ensure these commercial realities are baked into the HTAD Quantum Technologies Roadmap: Turning Targets into Action The success of the High-Tech Agenda won’t be measured by the document itself, but by how effectively government and industry collaborate to execute these targets and challenge the status quo. Since our inception, QBN has supported the German Government, the European Commission, and national governments across Europe to build a resilient, thriving quantum economy. We look forward to continuing this work, ensuring that Germany and Europe remain premier hubs for quantum innovation and commercialisation. Thank you to BMFTR, BMWE and BMVg for the great collaboration. Thank you to our members and partners who make this advocacy possible. Let’s further shape the conditions in which we are building the quantum economy!