Munich – The QBN Working Group Defence & Security (WG QDS) successfully concluded its second official meeting, consolidating a high-level coalition dedicated to securing a strategic technological edge for NATO and allied partner nations.
Building on the momentum of its inaugural meeting held during the run-up to the Munich Security Conference, the WG has rapidly scaled to include 20+ government organisations and Ministries of Defence from Europe, the US, Japan and others, alongside a robust ecosystem of 70+ SMEs and Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) from the global quantum economy as well as deeptech investors and Tier-1 Defence primes.
Strategic Alignment and Historical Context
The second session focused on overcoming adoption and procurement barriers. A centrepiece of the meeting was an expert briefing providing historical perspectives into the U.S. Pentagon’s adoption roadmap. This analysis offered a logic and impact-focused blueprint for navigating the “valley of death” between laboratory breakthroughs and integrated defence systems, emphasizing the necessity of long-term, mission-oriented public support.
Integration of the Quantum Industrial Base
Recognizing that innovation often resides within agile, specialized entities, the WG QDS initiated a critical dialogue on SME integration into defence procurement cycles and the Engagement of the Public Sectors, in-particular Defence Ministries, with the quantum industry. Participants addressed the structural barriers that currently hinder small-to-midsize quantum hardware and software providers from engaging with complex military acquisition frameworks.
“Quantum technologies such as quantum computing and quantum sensors are no longer a theoretical idea; they are a current requirement for national security and strategic superiority. By aligning MoD requirements with the agility of the European and international quantum ecosystem, we are ensuring that the strategic edge remains with our allies.”
Key Outcomes and Objectives:
- Consortium Expansion: Continued growth of the triple-helix model (Government, Industry, Academia) to ensure cross-border interoperability.
- Sector Literacy: Ongoing initiatives to brief military leadership and defence stakeholders on quantum-resistant cryptography, quantum sensing for PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing), and advanced computing.
- Procurement Reform: Documentation of requirements to streamline SME engagement in classified and unclassified defence procurement.
About QBN WG Quantum Technologies for Defence & Security
The QBN Working Group Defence serves as the premier international forum for quantum-defence dual-use coordination. It facilitates high-trust networking and collaborative project development to ensure that quantum innovation translates directly into advanced defence capabilities and national security resilience.
More on: https://qbn.world/home/working-groups/wg-quantum-technologies-for-defence-security/
