France’s €1.8 billion ($2 billion)* investment for the development of quantum technology through to 2025, as part of the country’s national quantum plan, is a significant move towards being a larger player in the sector. The sector is experiencing significant growth, with patent filings doubling between 2018 and 2020 according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. The technology could potentially revolutionize areas of defense such as artificial intelligence (AI), enabling autonomous vehicles and improve targeting for precision weapons systems.

Quantum computers are machines that use the properties of quantum physics to store data and perform computations. Theoretically, quantum computing can complete in seconds tasks that would take classical computers thousands or even millions of years.

According to GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Quantum Technologies in Defense’, countries are concerned about falling behind in the quantum race due to the potential for the technology to revolutionize communications. Communication is a critical area for the defense sector, with quantum key distribution (QKD) having the potential to completely prevent adversaries from accessing secure communications.

William Davies, Associate Defense Analyst at GlobalData comments: “As the existing quantum workforce is extremely small, with only a limited number of people having the capability to design and build quantum computers, countries are pushing to develop an industrial and skills base that will enable them to utilize quantum technologies.”

Part of France’s spending will initially be to create a platform that will allow traditional computers to access quantum processing power. Quantum computers are expensive and extremely complex to build, so a remote platform is critical for providing the defense industry with access to quantum tools.

Davies adds: “The technology is an important investment for the future of the French defense industry, and is a good move for the country to keep up with its peers. Allies such as the US and the UK are also investing, as well as adversaries such as China, largely to benefit their own defense interests. Further, IQM, a European quantum computer company, is opening an office in Paris in 2022 as a direct response to France increasing investment in quantum. This business investment will provide opportunities for France to expand its domestic quantum base and increase the amount of trained personnel in the sector.”

*Information taken from Business France: https://www.businessfrance.fr/discover-france-news-1-8-billion-in-funding-for-quantum-technologies