Discover how MBDA is anticipating quantum advantage and shaping the future of defence with quantum technologies. Learn about talent development, partnerships, and prototype strategies at the heart of MBDA’s quantum innovation roadmap.
From scientific curiosity to strategic imperative, quantum technologies are reshaping the future of defence. Although ‘quantum’ once referred to abstract physics and speculative computing, it has now become a tangible and strategic field of innovation. For our four experts: Lucy and Edouard (Quantum Computing Leads in MBDA UK and France), Alexandre (Lead of the Quantum Community in MBDA), Thomas (Quantum Sensing Lead in MBDA France), it isn’t just about staying ahead, it's about helping define what comes next.
A revolution that’s been quietly accelerating
“About fifteen years ago, only a handful of researchers were interested in quantum. Today, quantum conferences gather thousands of people extending to engineers, politicians, policy-makers, business strategists…” say Lucy and Edouard. That number growing significantly across Europe is revealing something important about the shift currently happening.
Unlike artificial intelligence, which made a disruptive entry into the defence sector, quantum technologies are unfolding gradually, but no less radically. After the outcomes of the first quantum revolution, bringing technologies such as lasers, transistors, or medical imagery (MRI), the second quantum revolution that is taking place right now is about building systems that leverage entangled particles, state superposition and particle interferences to achieve quantum sensors with improved sensitivity, more secure communications and powerful new computers.
“It’s a revolution, but a progressive one, that we’ve been preparing for since 2020.” explains Thomas.
In order to be fully prepared when quantum technology enters full-scale deployment, we need to start building our capabilities now, Lucy elaborates: “It is now essential to develop algorithms for quantum computers in parallel. This allows us to build internal software expertise and gain a deep understanding of hybrid integration requirements for when the hardware is ready in the future”. As an example, the development of quantum computing could help to create more powerful artificial intelligence models beyond classical computer capability.
MBDA has been actively laying the groundwork for years. Our long-term investment reflects our positioning regarding these technologies, which will fundamentally transform the way defence systems are designed, operated, and protected.
Empowering the next generation of defence capabilities
The defence sector is inherently constrained by the capabilities of its sub-systems… but quantum technologies aim to overcome some of those limits.
“Our systems’ performances are the results of every sub-systems’ individual capability. Quantum gives us a path to improve them further” Edouard and Thomas explain. “It’s about unlocking the next level of performance.”
MBDA’s interest is both strategic and practical. From fewer physical trials thanks to more predictive simulation, to faster, more informed decisions on the battlefield, quantum computers promise performance gains and cost reductions. More generally, integrating quantum is still a work in progress. Due to the exceptionally restrictive environment of missile systems (heat, pressure, speed, etc.), and the fragility of quantum components, there are still challenges to overcome for the next generation of defence systems to rely on quantum, challenges MBDA strive to collaboratively overcome.
Acknowledging a quantum-ready ecosystem
“Quantum Technologies are evolving out of their science project laboratory confinements, into game-changing, strategic, dual-use enabling technologies requiring coordination” Lucy says. To support the maturation of research papers into proofs of concept and concrete demonstrations of revolutionary technology, coordination between R&D teams, systems teams and commercial teams is fundamental.
Recognising the scale and complexity of quantum transformation, MBDA created an international quantum community in 2020. Rather than forming a dedicated department, this cross-functions initiative brings together experts from navigation, cybersecurity, systems engineering, algorithms, physical simulation, material design, and beyond.
“We chose to build a multidisciplinary community, not a siloed department,” notes Alexandre. “That allows us to embed quantum mindset into our entire organization.”
The community now includes around 50 specialists across MBDA’s European sites, with a core team focusing on training, partnerships, and project development. We maintain an active participation in European working groups, such as those led by GIFAS in France. MBDA also initiated collaborations with startups, universities, and research labs.
“The first step was building the expertise in-house. The next is finding the right partners and technologies, and being realistic about what’s deliverable,” says Alexandre. “Some things might take five years, when others ten. We must pace ourselves while staying alert.”
Working hand-in-hand with a strong ecosystem is necessary for MBDA to be able to exploit quantum to the fullest, alongside reliable partners. “MBDA does not build quantum computers or quantum sensors. But we collaborate with external partners to explore and prepare our use cases for it to make a difference” says Thomas.
Quantum maturity is still years away from full-scale integration into defence products. But already preparing a portfolio of applications extending to 2030s and beyond, MBDA doesn’t waste any time. Today’s focus is on three phases:
- Training and internal awareness, building the talent base to engage meaningfully with emerging quantum technologies.
- Partnership and ecosystem development, identifying credible startups and partners with realistic timelines.
- Prototyping development, evaluating promising technologies and preparing integration pathways.
A strategic stance in a competitive field
While many in the industry are focusing on quantum computing alone, MBDA is taking a broader view by prioritising this disruptive technology for defence strategies, as recognised in the European Quantum Strategy. “Unlike what one could think, we’re not just an end user, we’re an active contributor.” explains Edouard. “We need to understand these technologies thoroughly, both to integrate them and to protect against them.” In order to maintain its competitive edge, MBDA is securing its future ability to deploy quantum capabilities in its Generation after Next (GAN) defence programs and beyond.
This dual vision of innovation and defence is critical. Any advantage MBDA gains from quantum capabilities must also be evaluated for potential threats, prompting the company to explore countermeasures as part of every quantum advancement.
“For every new capability built, we must anticipate how it could be used against us. That’s the mindset you need in defence.” says Thomas.
And as quantum technologies approach key milestones, such as the delivery of commercially viable quantum sensors and quantum computers in the next few years, questions of sovereignty and cybersecurity also come into play. Should MBDA host its own quantum computing infrastructure ? That’s a decision already being mapped into the long-term strategy.
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