Published in the 2026 volume 2 of the Quantum Information Technologies Journal (pp. 61-74), the article was prepared by Mr James Appathurai, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Cyber and Digital Transformation at NATO, and Mr Kaan Sahin, Digital Strategy and Policy Officer at NATO.
The principal finding of the study is that quantum technologies are moving rapidly from the stage of scientific research into the arenas of commercialisation and strategic competition. It is stated that quantum computing companies generated revenues exceeding USD 1 billion in 2025, while the field of quantum sensing has entered a process of transition from research laboratories to commercial markets. The economic potential of quantum computing is projected to reach USD 1.3-2.7 trillion by 2035.
The article emphasises the direct relevance of quantum sensing technologies to the current operational environment. It is noted that jamming and spoofing activities directed at Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become a widespread instrument of electronic warfare in modern conflicts, adversely affecting navigation, targeting and situational awareness. Quantum sensing is assessed as capable of offering resilient alternatives independent of GNSS in the field of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). The detection of underground and underwater objects, the strengthening of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities, precise timing through optical atomic clocks, and GNSS-independent navigation for submarines are cited among the prominent military application areas.
With regard to the threat dimension, the vulnerability of existing public-key encryption systems to cryptographically relevant quantum computers is addressed. Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) estimates that such a capability could emerge around 2036. Drawing attention to the risk that encrypted data collected today may become decipherable in the future, the article states that the transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic standards must be accelerated.
In the section concerning the competitive environment, the People’s Republic of China is positioned as the principal strategic competitor. It is reported that China has invested approximately USD 15.3 billion in public funding in quantum research and development and accounts for around 54 per cent of global quantum patents. The quantum key distribution backbone between Beijing and Shanghai and the Micius quantum communications satellite are cited as examples in this context.
The central argument of the article is that NATO must pursue a two-track approach: fostering quantum innovation, experimentation and operational adoption across the Alliance, while protecting its technological edge, supply chains and critical infrastructure against quantum-enabled threats. It is noted that NATO adopted the objective of becoming a “quantum-ready” Alliance through its 2023 Quantum Strategy, and that in 2026 agreement was reached on a Quantum Technology Roadmap for the implementation of these objectives. The Roadmap is structured around five pillars: identifying use cases, testing and adopting quantum-enabled solutions, standardisation and interoperability, safeguarding against quantum risks, and quantum training and education.
Among the implementation mechanisms, the Transatlantic Quantum Community (TQC) stands out, established in 2024 to enable the sharing of expertise and the exchange of technical information among Allies within a flexible framework. It is reported that more than 270 members from 20 countries have joined the TQC Industry Network launched under the leadership of Denmark. While the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) contributes to the maturation of dual-use quantum technologies, the NATO Innovation Fund, a EUR 1 billion fund backed by 24 Allies, is noted as having invested in enterprises in the field of quantum sensing.
A point of particular relevance for Türkiye is its direct mention in the article among the Allies developing national quantum capabilities. The study states that Türkiye is developing national quantum capabilities through initiatives led by TÜBİTAK and ASELSAN.
In the concluding section, it is noted that more than 30 countries have today adopted national quantum strategies and that approximately two-thirds of these are NATO Allies. The authors assess that strategic advantage will be determined not solely by the existence of national strategies or technological breakthroughs, but by the ability to translate innovation into secure, resilient and operationally relevant capabilities. In this context, the following are listed as priority headings: connecting innovators with military end-users, the integration of quantum technologies into military capabilities, monitoring the capability levels of competitors through open-source intelligence, ensuring convergence with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and next-generation communication networks, and developing secure access to quantum computing infrastructure.