Europe has the chance to take a quantum leap
By now, it is obvious that the EU must confront its lack of military might and economic competitiveness.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared that America is no longer 'primarily focused on Europe's security.' A 2024 report on European competitiveness by Mario Draghi, the former Italian prime minister, warned that the EU must foster innovation to maintain its industrial relevance.
Clearly, reliance on past alliances and inherited advantages is no longer a viable option for Europe. Addressing these challenges will require the building of new alliances and development of new advantages, especially in quantum computing.
While much has been said about the ability of artificial intelligence to shift the balance of global power, the quieter quantum revolution promises to generate equally meaningful breakthroughs in industry, cybersecurity and defense strategy.
And whereas the EU lags far behind China and the US in AI and advanced semiconductors, it still has a chance to take the lead in quantum technologies. But the window of opportunity is closing fast.
Quantum computing is not just a faster version of classical computing, it is an entirely new form of information processing. Instead of relying on binary code, quantum computers use qubits (quantum bits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing them to solve complex problems concurrently, rather than sequentially.
While these supercharged computers remain years away from maturity, owing to instability and high error rates, several other types of quantum technology are already in use. Quantum sensors are reshaping military operations and nuclear deterrence, for example, thanks to their remarkable precision. Communications backed by quantum cryptography are protecting against increasingly advanced and frequent cyberattacks against critical infrastructure and intellectual property. And quantum algorithms are driving gains in industrial logistics and military simulations.
The development of quantum capabilities would enable Europe to bolster its defenses. Along NATO's eastern flank, and particularly in Ukraine, such advanced computing could power navigation systems that work even in GPS-denied environments, sensors that can detect stealth aircraft and submarines, and monitoring tools able to expose hidden enemy activities.
Recognizing the potential of quantum technologies for improvements to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, has indicated its willingness to develop these technologies. Europe must not be caught flat-footed.
From a competitiveness standpoint, quantum tech could revitalize Europe's ailing automotive sector, with advanced modeling helping to accelerate battery innovation.
Quantum computing could also increase the continent's energy competitiveness by stabilizing its renewable-heavy power grids and boost its strong pharmaceutical sector by supercharging drug discovery and improving early detection of diseases. These developments would also drive progress toward climate goals, reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports and ease the burden on healthcare systems.
Fortunately, Europe is entering the quantum race in a strong position. Its research institutions, including QuTech in the Netherlands and Forschungszentrum Julich in Germany, are globally competitive. The continent trains more quantum engineers than any other, hosts nearly a quarter of the world's quantum tech companies and is a global leader in quantum sensing and communications.
The bloc's fragmented funding and governance landscape could prove lethal, offsetting its myriad technical strengths.
Sona Muzikarova
The EU has also built a political consensus around the strategic importance of quantum technologies. The Quantum Flagship, the European Commission's €1 billion ($1.2 billion) research and development initiative, has backed commercial ventures such as Pasqal and IQM, both of which build quantum hardware.
The EU has also allocated billions of euros to programs such as the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure initiative and the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking.
When it comes to scaling up the production of quantum hardware, Europe's precision manufacturing base, including German machines and Dutch lithography, might prove advantageous.
But a familiar obstacle, the so-called valley of death between breakthroughs in the lab and success in the marketplace, might negate these advantages. Europe's quantum startups receive less private financing than their counterparts in the US, forcing many to relocate to North America or Asia in search of capital.
Compared with America's private investment and defense-driven approach or China's state-backed strategy, the EU's fragmented funding and governance landscape could prove lethal, offsetting the bloc's myriad technical strengths.
To convert the potential of quantum tech into a strategic advantage, several principles should be guiding EU policy. Firstly, when it comes to research and development, the bloc should focus on usage cases that will enable it to achieve quick wins in legacy sectors such as pharmaceuticals, the automotive industry and green energy.
At the same time, a European version of DARPA should be established to fund high-risk, dual-use quantum technologies that have immediate defense and cybersecurity applications.
Secondly, EU member states should establish protective safeguards, including export controls, investment screening mechanisms and the protection of intellectual property rights for sensitive quantum research that is vulnerable to espionage or foreign acquisition.
This might require the EU to form partnerships with other trusted democracies. Deeper quantum alliances could also allow the bloc to have a greater effect on the setting of global standards, while reducing its dependence on supply chains in adversarial countries.
Most importantly, there must be a realization that Europe's quantum ambitions demand more than just technical excellence; they will require political courage as well. For too long, Europe has watched from the sidelines as the US and China defined the rules of emerging tech.
Quantum computing presents the continent with a rare chance to take the reins. But to seize this opportunity, European policymakers must embrace a culture of deliberate risk-taking. The outcome of the quantum tech race will ultimately come down to whether Europe still believes in its capacity to lead.
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