Canada is accelerating its defence spending and prioritizing quantum technology as a cornerstone of its sovereign capabilities, positioning itself in a global race to harness the transformative potential of quantum science. The country is two years into a seven-year plan to integrate quantum technologies into defence applications, a move that underscores the urgency of adapting to emerging digital threats that could render legacy systems obsolete.
Quantum technology—encompassing computing, sensors, and communications—is reshaping the modern battlefield. The United States and China are also heavily investing in quantum advancements, with the U.S. aiming to develop a reliable quantum computer by 2033 and China pouring billions into the sector. Canada, which once led in artificial intelligence but lost its edge, is now determined to avoid repeating that mistake in the quantum race.
“It’s a strong opportunity for Canada and for us to be contributing to different defence alliances,” said Lisa Lambert, CEO of Quantum Industry Canada. “There are very few countries in the world that have the quantum capabilities that Canada has.”
Quantum technology offers three primary defence applications: communications, sensors, and computing. Quantum-enhanced radar, for instance, can detect threats like drones without being detected itself. At Qubic Inc., CEO Jérôme Bourassa is developing a quantum radar system that provides a more accurate and precise picture of its surroundings. “You see them without them seeing you,” he said. The system is designed to identify smaller targets faster, giving users advanced awareness of their environment.
The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces outlined four key missions in their Quantum 2030 strategy, including quantum-enhanced radar and quantum-secure communications. Quantum computing, once operational at scale, could crack standard public key cryptography, posing a significant risk to digital security. Companies like Quantum Bridge Technologies Inc. are already working on quantum-safe solutions to counter this threat.
“It’s a bit of a disaster, in the sense that if you have an adversary today that would be able to do that, most of the communication over the internet would become basically plain English, insecure,” said Mattia Montagna, CEO of Quantum Bridge Technologies Inc. The Canadian government is committed to adopting quantum-secure communications to mitigate this risk.
Quantum computing also promises to revolutionize defence by enabling faster and more powerful computational capabilities. Christian Weedbrook, founder and CEO of Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., emphasized the importance of advancing quantum algorithms to stay ahead in cybersecurity and defence applications.
“The world trusts Canada. And this technology needs trust. So, we have the opportunity to make use of our brand, make use of our talent and we just can’t let our internal processes waste the opportunity,” said Dr. Stephanie Simmons, founder and chief quantum officer at Photonic Inc.
As Canada navigates this critical phase in defence technology, its proactive approach and commitment to quantum innovation will be pivotal in maintaining its competitive edge and securing its position in the global defence landscape.