Australia prioritises quantum technology for defence

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles underlined the need to enhance advanced defence technologies such as ‘quantum computing' to strengthen the ADF's asymmetric capabilities. (BAE Systems)

The Australian government intensified its efforts to accelerate the development of quantum technologies for defence application, highlighting these technologies as a key to improve the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

In a speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Adelaide on 17 May, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles underlined the need to enhance advanced defence technologies such as ‘quantum computing' with the help of allies including the US and the UK.

Marles said Australia will collaborate with the US and the UK under the AUKUS partnership to translate “advancements in technology [including in quantum technologies] into practical, asymmetric capabilities that can be distributed and deployed quickly” to deter future conflicts.

In early May, the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources released the National Quantum Strategy to guide national efforts towards developing quantum technologies for building advanced capabilities in crucial sectors including defence.

“[The National Quantum Strategy] has been drafted against a backdrop of accelerating geopolitical interest in quantum technologies, with the US, China, the UK, and the European Union all scaling up investment [in this domain] in the last two years,” Australia's Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said.

The strategy highlights five ‘central themes' or areas of improvement for building a dynamic quantum ecosystem.

They include scaling up investment, and research and development (R&D) in quantum technologies; securing access to quantum infrastructure and materials; building a skilled workforce; ensuring that standards and frameworks support national interests; and building an ‘ethical' quantum ecosystem.