Insider Brief
- Finland will lead a new EU defense initiative called Quest to explore military applications of quantum technologies, focusing on computing, sensing, and metrology.
- The project is part of the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) framework and includes partners such as Germany, Denmark, Latvia, and Italy, with Sweden, Greece, and the Netherlands as observers.
- The initiative targets strategic use cases like encryption-breaking, positioning in GPS-denied areas, and missile defense, amid rising global investment in battlefield-ready quantum capabilities.
Finland will lead a new European defense initiative aimed at exploring quantum technologies for military use, marking a strategic push by the European Union into next-generation warfare capabilities, the Helsinki Times reported Friday.
The program — called Quantum Enablers for Strategic Advantage (Quest) — one of 11 new defense projects launched under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) framework. Quest will focus on turning emerging quantum technologies into tools for encryption-breaking, missile defense, and precise positioning in environments where traditional systems like GPS fail.
The Helsinki Times reported that Finland’s Ministry of Defence and the VTT Technical Research Centre will coordinate the project, with Germany, Denmark, Latvia, and Italy signed on as development partners. Sweden, Greece, and the Netherlands will participate as observers.
The move also signals Finland’s global leadership position in quantum tech.
“Finland has cutting-edge expertise in quantum technology, and we have one of the most advanced quantum technology ecosystems. We are taking the use of quantum technologies as part of the defence capabilities extremely seriously. The QUEST project to be implemented together with our European partners will create a solid foundation for the application of quantum technology for defence,” Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said in a statement.
Though financial details and operational timelines remain under wraps, the Ministry of Defence emphasized the initiative’s strategic importance in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine and broader shifts in military technology. The program will build on Finland’s quantum research leadership and reflects a growing urgency across Western governments to stay ahead in the quantum race.
Quantum computing differs from conventional computing, which process calculations through bits. Quantum machines use quantum bits, or qubits, the newspaper reports. This feature enables potentially massive increases in computing power for certain problems, though building stable and scalable systems remains a scientific challenge. While no military-ready quantum computers are known to exist today, researchers warn that quantum breakthroughs could soon upend secure communications and shift the balance of cyber and electronic warfare.
The Helsinki Times highlighted concerns from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, which recently warned that quantum sensors and computing are nearing battlefield utility. These systems could be used to detect hidden threats like submarines or missile silos, and to decipher currently unbreakable encryption used in secure military and intelligence communications.
Although full-scale quantum computers remain largely theoretical for military operations, certain types of quantum sensors and measurement systems — grouped under the field of quantum metrology — have shown real-world promise. These tools can detect tiny changes in gravitational or magnetic fields, potentially enabling accurate navigation without relying on satellites.
As reported by the Helsinki Times, Finnish policy experts suggest that the technology is already influencing global power dynamics. Countries are staking claims early to ensure they are not left behind once applications mature.
“Quantum computing has not so far produced any useful solutions that would give an advantage compared to classical computing,” said Markus Holmgren, a research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. “But the promise is so great that the technologies are already influencing power politics.”
Quest will concentrate initially on the most mature use cases — quantum sensing and metrology — where militaries may see immediate gains. These areas are especially relevant for surveillance and tactical positioning in contested environments where conventional systems are vulnerable to disruption or spoofing.
The EU project follows a broader pattern of increasing transatlantic interest in Finland’s quantum capabilities. The Helsinki Times pointed out that Finnish institutions are already involved in NATO’s innovation agenda. VTT operates two NATO test centers, and the University of Helsinki is active in NATO-backed projects that support small companies developing quantum technologies.
Last year, U.S. officials floated the idea of establishing a NATO research hub for quantum and artificial intelligence in Finland. While Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said his country would evaluate such roles case by case, the current initiative signals Finland’s growing willingness to play a leading role in high-stakes technological development within Europe and beyond.
Häkkänen’s comments came ahead of his appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a major defense summit that brings together policymakers from nearly 50 countries. He is also scheduled to attend a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels next week, where security cooperation on emerging technologies is expected to feature prominently.
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