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Introduction

  1. In November 2023, NATO adopted the Quantum Technology Strategy (henceforth referred to as the Strategy), recognising the transformative potential of quantum advancements in defence, security, and strategic competition. The Strategy underscores the need to foster and harness quantum enabled capabilities to maintain NATO’s technological edge and protect the Alliance from quantum risks and threats.
  2. Quantum technology (QT) can provide a significant advantage in an increasingly information-driven battlespace for the Alliance with the potential of revolutionising sensing; imaging; precise positioning, navigation and timing (PNT); communications; computing; modelling; simulation; and information science.
  3. At the same time, the Alliance’s potential adversaries and strategic competitors are making substantial investments in quantum research and development. QT have significantly innovative and disruptive implications, which can degrade the Alliance’s ability to deter and defend. QT are therefore an element of strategic competition and the Alliance must keep pace with quantum advancements.
  4. In line with the Strategy, this QT Roadmap (hereafter referred to as the Roadmap) aims to support the implementation of the Strategy by translating its strategic imperatives into actionable components and to help the Alliance to become quantum-ready. It defines clear paths forward through Lines of Effort (LoE) and provides a structured roadmap to guide implementation by relevant quantum stakeholders.

Aim of the Roadmap

  1. Through this Roadmap, the Alliance seeks to become quantum-ready by accelerating the understanding, adoption and integration of QT across NATO and Allied armed forces. NATO will work with Allies, industry and the research community to identify and develop priority defence use cases, support the transition of promising quantum applications from research to operational deployment, and enhance the Alliance’s understanding of both the opportunities and risks associated with QT. The Alliance will also strengthen the resilience of its networks, systems and critical infrastructure against quantum-enabled threats, while ensuring that NATO’s deterrence and defence posture remains effective in an increasingly quantum-enabled security environment.
  2. To achieve these objectives, NATO will foster a vibrant, robust and resilient quantum ecosystem, recognising that effective engagement with industry and the research community is essential. This includes promoting collaboration across the Alliance, enhancing situational awareness and information sharing, supporting the development of a skilled workforce, and establishing frameworks for the adoption and integration of QT into Allied armed forces while maintaining interoperability. Through the NATO Transatlantic Quantum Community (TQC), the Alliance will further strengthen the quantum understanding and ecosystem across the Alliance, alongside the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) and other NATO innovation mechanisms such as Allied Command Transformation (ACT), the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF).

Scope

  1. As indicated in the Strategy, this Roadmap focuses on quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum sensing. Consequently, any reference to these three key areas considers their own distinctive developments and aspects since each is characterised by varying Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), standards, test centres, use cases, protection mechanisms, resilience considerations, and other specific attributes.
  2. As outlined in the Strategy, the convergence between QT and other Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) brings important defence and security implications, and potential military applications and capabilities. In general, the interplay between QT and other EDTs — such as AI, Space, Next Generation Communication Networks, or Biotechnologies — can be reflected and addressed across all LoE, and further expanded in later iterations of the Roadmap.
  3. In alignment with the Strategy, and informed by consultations with Roadmap stakeholders, the following LoE for the Roadmap have been identified and certain activities have been selected for public release:
    1. Identifying QT Use Cases focuses on identifying, documenting and evaluating potential use cases, operational requirements and scenarios for adopting QT across the Alliance. Selected activities include: the development of annual horizon scanning reports that assess the maturity, and potential impact of QT on NATO’s capabilities; establishing a structured repository of military and relevant industry use cases of QT, assessing their strategic relevance, feasibility, timeline, and potential integration pathways. ACT, supported by Allied Command Operations (ACO), will collaborate with the TQC and STO in further identifying and collating use cases with dual-use applications which should be added to the repository; and the development of NATO’s Quantum Assessment Criteria.

      Activity — Timeline
      Annual horizon scanning reports that assess the maturity, and potential impact of QT on NATO’s capabilities — On a yearly basis
      Establishing a structured repository of military and relevant industry use cases of QT.1 — Initial  repository  within  12 months, with periodic updates.
      Development of NATO’s Quantum Assessment Criteria.1 — Initial version to be delivered by Q2 2027. To be updated thereafter as needed.

    2. Testing, Developing and Adopting Quantum-Enabled Solutions focuses on fostering the development, testing and prototyping of quantum‑enabled solutions technologies tailored to NATO’s strategic and operational needs through enhanced collaboration across the NATO Enterprise, Allies, industry, and academic institutions. Selected activities include: the prototyping and testing of QT through different NATO initiatives, including the NATO Digital Foundry, DIANA and potentially NATO Innovation Ranges (NIRs); further activities will include the delivery of pilot reports assessing the operational performance of QT in NATO-relevant scenarios as well as QUESTOR Sea Trials with the STO-Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (STO-CMRE) that focus on deploying and testing quantum sensing in realistic operational environments to assess their performance for PNT, particularly in GNSS-denied scenarios; and the development of an “Allied Quantum Computing Access Network” Concept.

      Activity — Timeline
      Prototyping and testing of QT1 — Regularly
      Conduct Pilot Evaluations of QT1 — Ongoing evaluations through ACT Innovation Continuum activities, with annual reporting. The first pilot report is expected in Q1 2027, followed by the initial comparative assessments in Q4 2027.
      QUESTOR Sea Trials1 — 2026 and 2027
      Development of an “Allied Quantum Computing Access Network” Concept — Q4 2027

    3. QT Standardization and Interoperability focuses on developing NATO-aligned standards and interoperability frameworks for the adoption of QT. Selected activities include the establishment of an STO Quantum Standardisation Specialist Team, a comprehensive NATO-oriented roadmap for the standardization of quantum technologies, the Quantum Zero Beacon Project (QZBP), which is establishing a pilot deployment between NATO HQ (Brussels) and SHAPE (Mons) to demonstrate and validate a practical pathway for NATO’s transition to quantum-resilient communications, as well as the adoption and implementation of post-quantum cryptography standards to protect against quantum-enabled threats.

      Activity — Timeline
      Establishment of an STO Quantum Standardisation Specialist Team — Q3 2027
      Adopt and Implement Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards to Protect Against Quantum-Enabled Threats — Ongoing
      STO-led Alliance Quantum Standards Roadmap — Q3 2029
      Quantum Zero Beacon Project (QZBP) — Q4 2027

    4. Safeguarding NATO Against Quantum Risks and Threats focuses on the identification, mitigation, and addressing of risks posed by QT, ensuring NATO’s security, infrastructure, communications, and operations are protected against quantum-enabled risks and threats. Selected initiatives address the development and adoption of post-quantum cryptographic solutions, the establishment of robust cybersecurity frameworks and the assessment of industry readiness for quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions.

      Activity — Timeline
      Update and Refine the Action Plan for NATO’s Response to the Quantum  Threat  to Cryptography — Next Update Q3 2027
      NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Study on “Assessing Industry Readiness for Quantum-Resistant Cryptographic Solutions” — Q2 2027

    5. Quantum Training and Education focuses on the training and education of QT and its applications across the Alliance, as well as raising awareness of related risks and threats. Selected activities include the development and implementation of quantum education and training programmes across the NATO Enterprise, including STO, which provides training and education opportunities, for instance through its summer training programmes, as well as increased engagement with industry and academia in quantum awareness raising primarily through the TQC and its Industry Network.

      Activity — Timeline
      Develop and Implement Quantum Education and Training Programmes — Initial training modules developed within 12 months, with ongoing updates.
      Engage Industry and Academia in Quantum Awareness Raising1 — Ongoing

Roadmap Structure

  1. This Roadmap’s LoE follow a phased approach, moving from identification and experimentation to capability development and ultimately to operational adoption. Given the varying maturity levels and development timelines of different QT, progress across these phases will remain adaptive and opportunity-driven. Technologies are expected to mature and become commercially and militarily available at different speeds, which may influence the sequencing of activities and not allow for a clear delineation between phases.
  2. Future iterations of the Roadmap will focus more on later phases of QT capability development and operational adoption. This further development will depend on technological progress and the outcomes of the activities outlined in this first iteration of the Roadmap.

Roadmap Governance and Management

  1. The Digital Policy Committee (DPC) holds responsibility for ensuring the effective and coherent implementation of the Roadmap. Within NATO, the Cyber and Digital Transformation Division (CDT) is responsible for quantum strategy and policy, as well as for overseeing the development and implementation of the Roadmap.
  2. This Roadmap is designed to ensure the coherence of QT related efforts across the Alliance. This will build upon existing Allied and NATO Enterprise stakeholder efforts, projects, and initiatives, while also relying on these listed stakeholders below as key contributors to and implementers of the Roadmap itself:
    1. The NATO TQC was established to deepen engagement with quantum innovation and strengthen NATO's quantum ecosystem. The TQC also encompasses the TQC Industry Network, which is an informal forum to facilitate dialogue, collaboration and knowledge-sharing among quantum technology companies, defence end-users, government authorities and funding bodies among the members of the TQC and its Industry Network. Through dedicated workshops, the TQC provided expert insights that shaped the development of the Roadmap, and will play a key role in its implementation across various LoE. The Cyber and Digital Transformation Division (CDT) at NATO HQ serves as the TQC's liaison and secretaria.
    2. ACT identifies and develops use cases for QT across the Alliance. As an implementer of the Roadmap, ACT will, in collaboration with industry, pilot and validate quantum use cases, among others.
    3. ACO shapes the operational requirements that will drive the adoption of QT across the Alliance.
    4. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) with its NATO Digital Foundry will assess options to provide a secure and open environment for experimentation, development, and testing of quantum innovation to drive rapid adoption, full-scale acquisition and operational deployment. In addition, it will serve as implementer and support other stakeholders across various LoE.
    5. The STO, to include the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) strategic foresight analysis, the Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW) research, development and education efforts, as well as the work conducted by CMRE on QT, will serve as an implementer across various LoE. In this role, the STO conducts research, experimentation, development and testing of quantum innovation, and its activities are primarily driven by the priorities and funding of NATO Nations;
    6. Cryptographic Services Capability Team (Crypto CaT), which develops initiatives for advancing quantum-safe cryptography within NATO, will implement the cryptographic elements in the relevant LoE below;
    7. Innovation activities, including NATO Innovation Ranges, and entities such as DIANA and NIF, will foster research, development, and the scaling of quantum solutions within the Alliance’s innovation ecosystem.
  3. This Roadmap will be reviewed and updated ensuring it continues to reflect the latest developments in QT, the shifting threat environment, and the evolving defence and security landscape.

Conclusion

  1. The implementation of this Roadmap represents a critical step in ensuring that Allies and the NATO Enterprise are positioned to harness the transformative potential of QT, while effectively managing the risks they present.

Footnotes

1. Potential TQC/TQC Industry Network involvement

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