Stockholm – (CHATNEWSTV) A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights the rapid militarization of quantum technology, warning that its potential to disrupt global security is being underestimated.
According to the SIPRI publication, An Introduction to Military Quantum Technology for Policymakers, the ongoing “second quantum revolution” is unlocking powerful applications in secure communications, advanced battlefield sensing, and computing. However, experts caution that quantum breakthroughs also present serious risks, particularly if adversaries gain an edge in cryptography, intelligence gathering, and electronic warfare.
“This is not just about futuristic computing,” said Dr. Michal Krelina, a SIPRI researcher specializing in quantum security. “Quantum technology could redefine how nations conduct warfare, intelligence gathering, and even arms control.”
Quantum Race Accelerates Among Global Powers
The SIPRI report notes that the United States, China, the European Union, and other major powers are heavily investing in quantum research, recognizing its dual-use potential for both civilian and military applications.
China has emerged as a leader in quantum communications, successfully launching quantum satellites to establish ultra-secure data transfer. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense and major tech firms like Google, IBM, and Microsoft are exploring military uses of quantum computing, including mission planning and logistics optimization.
The European Union’s Quantum Flagship initiative aims to develop a secure quantum communication network, while countries like Australia, Canada, and India are integrating quantum advancements into military modernization efforts.
One of the most notable recent breakthroughs highlighted in the SIPRI report is AQNav, a U.S.-developed quantum navigation system that could allow submarines and aircraft to operate without relying on GPS—making them more difficult to detect and disrupt.
Russia and China have also tested quantum-encrypted communication links, with the goal of developing a “hack-proof” military network for the BRICS alliance.
Security Risks: Cryptography, Espionage, and Arms Control Challenges
SIPRI warns that quantum computing could render current encryption obsolete, posing a direct threat to cybersecurity and classified military data.
“If we don’t act now to develop quantum-safe encryption, today’s secrets may be vulnerable to decryption in the near future,” said Prof. Alex Harman, a cybersecurity expert cited in the report.
Quantum sensors also pose new espionage and battlefield risks, with the potential to detect stealth aircraft, submarines, and underground military installations with unprecedented precision.
A German cybersecurity study highlighted in SIPRI’s report suggests that quantum sensors could be used for side-channel attacks on microchips, revealing vulnerabilities that traditional security measures cannot detect.
Arms Control Efforts Lag Behind
Despite the growing military applications of quantum technology, the SIPRI report stresses that international regulations remain inadequate.
Some arms control agreements, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, already include quantum technologies, but enforcement varies. Russia has blocked attempts to expand quantum-related export controls, while the U.S. has imposed strict regulations on quantum computing components to limit access to adversarial nations.
According to SIPRI, policymakers should urgently explore how quantum advancements could impact existing arms control agreements, including the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
“The strategic importance of quantum technology raises new arms control challenges,” said Krelina. “We need to act before the technology outpaces regulatory oversight.”
Quantum Warfare: A New Era of Military Strategy
As nations race to achieve quantum supremacy, SIPRI’s report suggests that the next decade could see a major shift in global military strategy.
Experts predict that within the next few years, quantum sensing and secure communications will become practical for military operations, while full-scale quantum computing—capable of breaking encryption and simulating complex battlefield scenarios—may take longer to materialize.
“Quantum technology is evolving at a pace that governments and security experts cannot afford to ignore,” the SIPRI report concludes. “The security landscape may be irreversibly reshaped before regulations catch up.”
With global competition intensifying, SIPRI warns that failing to act now could leave nations vulnerable to the most disruptive military technology of the 21st century.
