The Military Benefits of Quantum Technology
By Andrew Davidson
Published December 24, 2025
As modern militaries evolve, the focus of advantage has shifted from traditional battlefield victories to the sustained functionality of complex systems. Increasingly, military success hinges less on outright defeating an adversary in combat and more on the persistent degradation of their operational capabilities. In this context, the emergence of quantum technology offers new opportunities to reinforce existing military hierarchies and maintain control over critical systems under constant pressure.
The Changing Nature of Military Advantage
In previous eras, decisive battles and the destruction of opposing forces defined military superiority. Today, however, the emphasis lies on ensuring the continuous, reliable operation of interconnected systems—ranging from communications and intelligence networks to command and control infrastructures. The ability to either protect one’s own complex systems or degrade those of adversaries in a measured way has become paramount. This shift highlights the importance of maintaining functionality over brute force.
Quantum Technology’s Role in Defense
Quantum technology, including quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing, promises to enhance military capabilities by providing substantial improvements in speed, security, and precision. For example:
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Quantum Computing: Offers the potential to solve highly complex problems faster than classical computers, enabling improved cryptanalysis, logistics, and real-time decision-making.
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Quantum Communications: Facilitates ultra-secure information transfer through quantum encryption methods that are resistant to hacking or interception, safeguarding command and intelligence data.
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Quantum Sensing: Provides enhanced detection capabilities, allowing militaries to identify threats or navigate more precisely under challenging conditions.
These tools do not seek to revolutionize military hierarchies overnight but rather to reinforce the existing structures by augmenting situational awareness, communication security, and operational resilience.
Strategic Implications
While quantum technology brings promising advancements, it also introduces new challenges and vulnerabilities. Adversaries’ capabilities to degrade or disrupt critical systems remain a constant threat. As such, maintaining control over quantum-enhanced systems requires continuous innovation and defensive strategies tailored to this evolving technological landscape.
States that successfully integrate quantum technologies into their military apparatus will likely gain a strategic edge by improving the robustness of their systems and complicating the adversaries’ ability to counteract or neutralize them. The balance of power will depend on how effectively these tools are deployed to sustain operational dominance over time.
Conclusion
The gradual incorporation of quantum technology into military operations underscores a fundamental continuation of modern warfare trends: prioritizing the management and degradation of functional systems over direct confrontation. As militaries navigate this transition, quantum advancements will serve to strengthen rather than upend existing command hierarchies, shaping the future of strategic competition on an increasingly complex battlefield.
About the Author
Andrew Davidson is an analyst at Geopolitical Futures with over 11 years of military experience, including service in the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and 25th Infantry Division. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security and is completing a master’s degree in International Relations.
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