Beyond the hype surrounding quantum computing lies a stark reality: this technology isn’t just about faster calculations or breaking encryption—it’s about national survival. While global powers race to unlock the potential of qubits, Britain risks falling behind, ceding control of the skies and jeopardising its future security. This report, from the Labour Technology Group, examines how the UK can strategically leverage quantum computing to safeguard its interests, with a particular focus on a critical yet underexplored domain: drone warfare. By learning from the bold initiatives of nations like South Korea and Israel, Britain can establish a dedicated quantum defence capability, ensuring it remains a leader in technological innovation and a protector of its democratic values.
In a world increasingly defined by autonomous AI-guided drones, where human life can be reduced to target coordinates, and where the very physics of information dictates strategic outcomes, achieving quantum superiority is no longer merely advantageous – it’s existential. The document argues that Britain must proactively integrate quantum computing into its defence strategy to safeguard its democratic values and uphold international law.
The author highlights South Korea’s decisive action in response to regional threats, technological disruption, and global instability, advocating that Britain must follow suit with equally bold and decisive statecraft. Quantum computing isn’t simply a technological advancement; it represents national sovereignty and security. In an era of algorithmic warfare, it may be the ultimate safeguard for peace, positioning nations as either controllers of the future or vulnerable targets – a stark choice framed as “quantum or prey.” The document emphasises that failing to prioritise quantum computing in defence isn’t just a technological oversight but a potential forfeiture of control and security in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Establish a Dedicated Quantum Defence Office (QDO): Create a joint task force within the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, including space agencies, dedicated to applying quantum computing to national security objectives. This body should act as a national accelerator for dual-use and military-aligned projects, emulating the Korea Quantum Computing (KQC) initiative and its Ministry of Defence to simulate missile defence scenarios using quantum-based algorithms.
Militarise Quantum for Drone Sovereignty: The UK currently lacks targeted integration of drone sovereignty into quantum computing. It should establish a Defence Quantum Innovation Fund of at least 150 million over five years, specifically targeting quantum-enhanced drone technologies. Drawing from Israel’s agile startup incubation and South Korea’s defence-first quantum roadmap, this fund should focus on real-time battlefield applications such as quantum-optimised swarm coordination, encrypted drone communication, and threat-detection algorithms. The NQCC must be mandated to align one of its testbeds with defence-specific use cases, integrating SMEs, MoD partners, and aerospace primes to ensure sovereign technological control of future airspace.
Simulate and Demonstrate: Quantum Testbeds for Combat Scenarios: Launch specific demonstration projects tied to battlefield relevance. Potential applications include quantum-assisted command-and-control systems, adaptive threat modelling, and quantum-optimised drone swarm control. Norma and Gyeosang National University launched its Quantum Supremacy Demonstration Project for Aerospace, focusing on computational fluid dynamics simulations relevant to hypersonic vehicles, reusable launch vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. UK needs to specify projects for combat scenarios as a matter of priority.
Set a National Quantum Hardware Target: The UK should establish a sovereign quantum hardware target of 1,000 error-corrected qubits by 2035, with an interim milestone of 500 qubits by 2032, focused on defence applications such as battlefield simulation, hypersonic modelling, and quantum drone navigation. This aligns the UK’s ambition with South Korea’s targets and ensures readiness for the next generation of military capabilities. The target would catalyse domestic manufacturing, supply chain diversification, and attract global investment in UK hardware ventures.
Establish a Sovereign Defence Quantum Data Centre (SDQDC): The UK should establish a Sovereign Defence Quantum Data Centre (SDQDC) to host and scale British-built quantum hardware for military and intelligence use. While the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) drives research, it lacks a deployable, defence-ready quantum system. As nations like South Korea target 1,000 qubits by 2035 for missile defence and electronic warfare, the UK must not fall behind. This centre would securely host operational quantum machines for defence simulation, cryptography, and drone coordination; accelerate the scaling of domestic qubit platforms from companies with potential to support defence applications, including quantum-enhanced drone systems, such as Oxford Quantum Circuits and Quantum Motion; and ensure sovereign control of strategic quantum capabilities. Investment required: $ 250 million to $ 300 million over 5 years, jointly led by the MoD and DSIT.
A Dedicated Quantum Defence Office (QDO) is proposed as a crucial first step in aligning the UK’s quantum capabilities with national security objectives. This office would be a joint taskforce established within the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, incorporating expertise from space agencies. Its primary function would be to act as a national accelerator for dual-use and military-aligned quantum projects.
The QDO’s mandate would be to drive the application of quantum computing to national security challenges, moving beyond research and development towards practical implementation. It would emulate the Korea Quantum Computing (KQC) initiative, explicitly focusing on simulating missile defence scenarios using quantum-based algorithms. This involves not just theoretical modelling, but also the development of practical algorithms and the infrastructure to run them.
The office would be responsible for identifying key areas where quantum computing can provide a strategic advantage, prioritising projects with clear military applications. It would also facilitate collaboration between government, industry, and academia, ensuring that research efforts are aligned with defence needs.
The UK currently lacks targeted integration of drone sovereignty into quantum computing. A dedicated Defence Quantum Innovation Fund of at least £150 million over five years should be established, specifically targeting quantum-enhanced drone technologies. This fund should draw inspiration from Israel’s agile startup incubation model and South Korea’s defence-first quantum roadmap, focusing on real-time battlefield applications. Examples include quantum-optimised swarm coordination, encrypted drone communication, and threat-detection algorithms.
The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) must be mandated to align one of its testbeds with defence-specific use cases. This integration should involve SMEs, Ministry of Defence partners, and aerospace primes to ensure sovereign technological control of future airspace. This isn’t simply about research; it’s about building a demonstrable, deployable capability that safeguards British interests and maintains a strategic advantage in the evolving landscape of aerial warfare. The fund should prioritise projects that move beyond theoretical exploration and deliver tangible results in enhancing drone capabilities for defence and security purposes.
The document advocates for launching specific demonstration projects directly tied to battlefield relevance, moving beyond theoretical research to practical application. It highlights the example of Norma and Gyeosang National University in South Korea, which initiated a Quantum Supremacy Demonstration Project for Aerospace. This project focuses on computational fluid dynamics simulations relevant to hypersonic vehicles, reusable launch vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The UK is urged to prioritise specifying similar projects for combat scenarios. Potential applications mentioned include quantum-assisted command-and-control systems, adaptive threat modelling (allowing for quicker and more effective responses to evolving dangers), and quantum-optimised drone swarm control (enabling coordinated and complex drone operations).
The core idea is to move beyond simply developing quantum computing capabilities and instead demonstrate their effectiveness in realistic military contexts. This would involve creating simulated or live environments where quantum algorithms and hardware can be tested and refined for specific combat applications, accelerating the transition from research to deployable technology. This practical demonstration is seen as crucial for validating the potential of quantum computing in defence and ensuring the UK doesn’t fall behind other nations actively pursuing this technology.
The UK should establish a sovereign quantum hardware target of 1,000 error-corrected qubits by 2035, with an interim milestone of 500 qubits by 2032, focused on defence applications such as battlefield simulation, hypersonic modelling, and quantum drone navigation. This aligns the UK’s ambition with South Korea’s targets and ensures readiness for the next generation of military capabilities. The target would catalyse domestic manufacturing, supply chain diversification, and attract global investment in UK hardware ventures. Achieving this requires a sustained commitment to research and development, alongside strategic investment in domestic qubit platforms. It’s not simply about reaching a qubit count, but about building a resilient and sovereign quantum ecosystem capable of supporting future defence needs. This target would also drive innovation in related fields, such as cryogenic engineering, control systems, and quantum algorithms, further strengthening the UK’s position as a leader in quantum technology. It would require a coordinated effort between government, industry, and academia, with clear milestones and accountability. The interim milestone of 500 qubits by 2032 would serve as a critical checkpoint, allowing for course correction and ensuring that the UK remains on track to achieve its long-term goals. This hardware target is essential for maintaining a strategic advantage in the face of growing global competition and ensuring the UK’s future security.
The UK should establish a Sovereign Defence Quantum Data Centre (SDQDC) to host and scale British-built quantum hardware for military and intelligence use. While the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) drives research, it lacks a deployable, defence-ready quantum system. Nations like South Korea are targeting 1,000 qubits by 2035 for missile defence and electronic warfare, and the UK must not fall behind.
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