India’s Armed Forces Embrace Quantum Technology for Cyber Defence
- MGMMTeam
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
India's military is gearing up for a significant transformation in its approach to cyber operations, with a focus on embracing quantum technologies. These technologies, including quantum computing, communication, and sensing, are transitioning from research labs to practical defence applications.
A notable seminar titled "Quantum Technology: Impact on Future Wars and Way Forward" was held on March 26, 2025, in Pune by Headquarters Southern Command, underscoring India's commitment to advancing quantum technology. During the event, Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, delivered a keynote address that outlined the strategic roadmap for integrating quantum technologies into the military.
What were once considered experimental tools are now being explored for securing military networks, protecting critical systems, and adapting to the evolving landscape of modern warfare.
The Importance of Quantum Technology in Defence
Quantum technology relies on the strange yet powerful rules of quantum mechanics. In this realm, particles can exist in multiple states at once (a concept called superposition) and can be connected across distances (entanglement), instantly affecting each other.
These phenomena give quantum systems significant advantages in cryptography, sensing, and complex problem-solving — all of which are essential in military and cybersecurity fields.
Military applications of quantum technology generally fall into three categories:
Quantum computing, which uses quantum bits (qubits) to address problems too complex or time-consuming for classical computers;
Quantum communication, which establishes highly secure channels using quantum particles that immediately reveal any interception attempts;
Quantum sensing, which offers ultra-precise detection and measurement — valuable for navigation, surveillance, and threat detection.
For these technologies to be truly effective, they must be developed in conjunction with and integrated into the military’s broader cyber operations strategy.
The Impact of Quantum Technology on Cyber Operations
Quantum technology could have a profound impact on cyberspace, especially in challenging current encryption standards.
A key concern is that quantum computers may eventually be able to break widely used encryption systems. Many of these systems, such as RSA and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), depend on complex mathematical problems that are difficult for classical computers to solve. However, a sufficiently advanced quantum computer could solve these problems much more quickly, putting sensitive data at risk.
To address this threat, researchers are developing post-quantum cryptography (PQC)—encryption techniques that are resistant to quantum attacks. These include methods like lattice-based encryption, hash-based digital signatures, and other approaches considered secure even in the face of quantum advancements.
Quantum capabilities also bring fresh dynamics into cyber operations:
Side-Channel Threats: Quantum sensors could detect electromagnetic emissions from electronic devices, potentially exposing information about their operations or the data they process.
Secure Tactical Networks: Quantum communication holds promise for establishing secure connections between mobile military platforms like drones and vehicles. In 2024, a successful demonstration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) using drones highlighted its capability for real-time, secure communication in the field.
Next-Gen Cryptanalysis: In the coming years, quantum systems could be leveraged to simulate and evaluate cryptographic algorithms — enabling attackers to uncover vulnerabilities at unprecedented speeds.
Global efforts
Quantum defense research has become a global race, with nations making significant investments to maintain a competitive edge.
In Germany, the Agency for Innovation in Cybersecurity is investigating the potential use of quantum sensors in cyberattack scenarios. Meanwhile, the United States, China, and other countries are examining how quantum computing could boost artificial intelligence and decision-making capabilities in military operations.
India's Strategy for Advancing Military Quantum Technology
India’s armed forces have made significant strides in developing quantum capabilities. The Army leadership has emphasized the importance of quantum technology in official roadmaps, including listing quantum communication as one of the 45 “niche technologies” the Army is focusing on. Additionally, Centers of Excellence have been established in collaboration with IITs to further these initiatives.
The Indian Army Design Bureau’s (ADB) portfolio specifically includes advanced fields like quantum communication and computing, alongside AI, 5G, robotics, and cyber warfare.
In 2021, the Army inaugurated a dedicated Quantum Laboratory at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. The lab’s key focus areas include Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for secure communications, quantum computing, and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
By 2024, the Army partnered with the Bengaluru-based startup QuNu Labs to demonstrate QKD over a 200-kilometre distance. This technique uses quantum particles to generate encryption keys, ensuring that any attempt to intercept the key is immediately detected due to changes in the quantum state, offering a level of security that traditional methods cannot provide.
This pilot project represents a crucial step towards replacing vulnerable encryption systems with quantum-secure communication networks, as the threat of quantum attacks continues to grow.
In January of the previous year, the then Army Chief mentioned that the ADB was nearing the completion of its quantum computing trials.
Fostering Quantum Capability Through Strategic Collaboration
Collaborative development has been crucial, with partners spanning startups, academia, DRDO, and policy bodies.
One of the first indicators of the Army’s quantum initiatives came through problem statements addressing potential threats posed by quantum computing.
Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence’s platform for engaging startups, has played a significant role in launching quantum technology initiatives for ADB. Through ADB, the Army sponsored iDEX challenges in the quantum domain, aiming to discover innovative solutions.
A key achievement of this collaboration is the partnership with QNu Labs, a deep-tech startup based in Bengaluru, to create an indigenous Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system. This project, supported by iDEX’s open innovation framework and in collaboration with ADB and the Army’s Signals Directorate, aimed to establish “advanced secure communication” using quantum keys.
By mid-2022, field trials successfully demonstrated a stable quantum-secure communication link over 150 km of optical fiber, confirming the practical applicability of QKD.
The creation of the Army’s Quantum Lab itself brought together experts from IITs, research institutions, DRDO, and industry, under the guidance of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
While quantum tools won’t immediately replace existing systems, their eventual integration will transform how India secures its digital infrastructure, handles battlefield data, and addresses emerging cyber threats.
コメント