Quantum Computing Application Opportunities in Military Scenarios

Quantum Information Science (QIS) is potentially a game-changing technology for the future military operational environment. Being significantly dependent on the capabilities of current quantum computers, it is still very immature; however, evolving rapidly and increasing the technical and knowledge potential of industrial and state actor players that invest in it. Investing in this technology can lead the NATO Alliance to gain quantum superiority and outperform its adversaries in technological development in diverse military domains. This article presents possible applications of QIS in the military domain in the form of use cases. We have formulated these use cases after analysis of today's capabilities of quantum computing technology and its prospects for the future of the quantum information domain. Our article concludes with initial recommendations for the early adoption of quantum technology. This paper was presented at the NATO Science and Technology Organization Symposium (ICMCIS) organized by the Information Systems Technology (IST) Panel, IST-200 RSY - the ICMCIS, held in Skopje, North Macedonia, 16–17 May 2023.