Chinese Military Developing Over 10 Quantum Warfare Weapons, Says PLA
January 15, 2026 – The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has announced it is actively developing more than ten experimental quantum warfare tools as part of its efforts to modernize and enhance its military capabilities. According to a report published today by the official newspaper Science and Technology Daily, many of these cutting-edge technologies are already undergoing testing in front-line missions.
The PLA revealed that this ambitious project is spearheaded by a supercomputing laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology. The initiative focuses on integrating advanced fields such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technology to revolutionize battlefield operations and cyber warfare.
Advancing Battlefield Intelligence with Quantum Technology
One of the primary goals behind the PLA’s quantum weapons program is to harness quantum computing’s unparalleled processing power. Commanders anticipate that quantum computers will enable the rapid analysis of vast amounts of battlefield data within seconds—a critical advantage in fast-paced combat scenarios that require swift decision-making and optimal resource allocation.
An unnamed PLA officer, quoted in the report, emphasized that “speed and change” are key drivers in the development of these new cyber weapons, underscoring the military’s push to stay ahead in technologically complex warfare environments.
Potential Applications: Sensing, Navigation, and Air Defence
Beyond data processing, quantum sensing and positioning technologies are expected to significantly bolster China’s air defence capabilities. These quantum sensors could detect stealth aircraft that evade conventional radar systems, thereby enhancing situational awareness and threat response.
Moreover, quantum-based navigation systems under development aim to provide highly accurate positioning resistant to common electronic warfare tactics such as spoofing and jamming. Such resilient navigation tools would be crucial for units operating in contested environments where GPS signals might be unreliable or deliberately disrupted.
Quantum Cyber Warfare and Intelligence Gathering
The PLA also highlighted the use of quantum technology for harvesting high-value military intelligence from public cyberspace. With the increasing importance of cyber operations in modern conflicts, integrating quantum capabilities into cyber warfare could offer significant strategic advantages.
Strategic Implications
China’s investment in quantum warfare underscores a global race among major powers to leverage emerging technologies for military supremacy. By advancing quantum computing, sensing, and cyber warfare tactics, the PLA aims to enhance its operational capabilities across multiple domains, including land, air, sea, and cyber.
As the technology matures, the development and deployment of quantum weapons could alter the landscape of modern warfare, prompting other countries to accelerate their own research and defense strategies in this domain.
Reporting by Holly Chik for the South China Morning Post
