New Delhi (ABC Live): Military power is changing in a fundamental way. For decades, superiority depended mainly on platforms—fighter jets, warships, missiles, and armour—and the ability to produce them in large numbers. However, this model is no longer enough. Today, information control, secure communication, accurate sensing, and fast decision-making often shape outcomes well before forces meet on the battlefield.

As a result, quantum technologies are becoming central to modern warfare.

Unlike routine upgrades, quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum sensing change how wars are fought. They can break old encryption, shorten command cycles, weaken stealth, and allow detection in places once considered hidden—from deep oceans to contested airspace and GPS-denied terrain. In simple terms, quantum tools decide what can be seen, what can be hidden, and how quickly action can follow.

At the same time, major powers have already accepted this shift. China treats quantum technology as a tool of “intelligentised warfare” and builds it directly into military systems. Meanwhile, the United States sees quantum as a strategic enabler and supports it through long-term funding, industry ties, and academic research under the National Quantum Initiative. Despite different paths, both agree on one point: future military advantage will rely as much on computing and sensing as on firepower.

For India, therefore, the stakes are high. The country operates in tight and contested theatres, including narrow land corridors, border zones, and key sea routes. In such settings, even small gains in detection, secure links, or response time can have large effects. Moreover, while force gaps take decades to close, technology gaps can appear suddenly.

Against this backdrop, India’s Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework must be read not as a science project, but as a response to a changing kind of war.

What Is the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework?

On January 22, 2026, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework. Importantly, this marked India’s clearest move yet to bring quantum technologies into military planning, doctrine, and capability building.

The framework works as both a policy guide and an action plan. Its goal is to ensure that the Army, Navy, and Air Force use quantum tools as real operational assets, rather than keeping them limited to labs and pilot projects.

Crucially, the document aligns defence needs with the Cabinet-approved National Quantum Mission (NQM). As a result, the Armed Forces become active partners in India’s national quantum push, not passive end users.

In essence, the framework rests on three ideas:

1. Alignment with national science and technology goals
2. Jointness across the three services from the start
3. Civil–military cooperation to speed up deployment

The Four Pillars of Military Quantum Capability

The framework focuses on four quantum areas that matter most for defence.

1. Quantum Communication

This enables ultra-secure links through quantum key distribution (QKD). As a result, military networks become harder to intercept, hack, or break—even as computing power grows.

2. Quantum Computing

Quantum computers can solve certain problems far faster than today’s machines. Therefore, they are useful for code-breaking, logistics planning, simulations, and decision support.

3. Quantum Sensing & Metrology

These tools offer very high accuracy in navigation, timing, and detection. Consequently, they are vital in GPS-denied zones, undersea warfare, and electronic warfare conditions.

4. Quantum Materials & Devices

These support advanced sensors and hardened electronics. In turn, they allow quantum systems to survive real battlefield stress.

Taken together, these pillars shift military advantage from platforms to information and decision speed.

 India’s Quantum Targets That Matter to Defence

India’s military quantum roadmap is closely tied to measurable goals under the National Quantum Mission.

National Quantum Mission: Defence-Relevant Targets

Total approved outlay: ₹6,003.65 crore (FY 2023–24 to FY 2030–31)

Therefore, these numbers form the baseline against which defence progress will be measured.

Why It Matters: India vs China vs United States

Quantum capability is quickly becoming a measure of military power, much like nuclear weapons or cyber strength in earlier eras.

China: Deployment Comes First

China currently leads in real-world quantum communication systems.

Because of this scale, China gains an edge in narrow and sensitive regions, where early warning and secure links matter most. This directly affects India’s concerns around choke points such as the Siliguri Corridor, often called India’s “chicken’s neck”
(see ABC Live: https://abclive.in/2025/12/15/how-india-can-protect-its-chickens-neck-siliguri-corridor/).

United States: Depth, Money, and Integration

In contrast, the United States leads through funding continuity and ecosystem strength.

In addition, the US Department of Energy committed $625 million in 2025 to renew quantum research centres.

As a result, the US focuses on resilience and post-quantum security, rather than quick deployment alone.

India: Catching Up Through Reform

Thus, India’s aim is not instant parity, but avoiding long-term disadvantage.

Risks & Challenges

However, several risks remain.

1. Funding and Timelines

Quantum progress is slow and uncertain. Therefore, short funding cycles could stall projects.

2. Export Controls

Because quantum tech is dual-use, access to parts and tools is tightening worldwide.

3. Talent Retention

Quantum experts are rare and highly mobile.

4. Lab-to-Field Gap

Many systems work in labs but struggle in combat conditions.

The framework tries to address these issues through joint governance and civil–military cooperation.

The Bigger Picture

Ultimately, the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework signals a move from reactive defence upgrades to future-ready planning.

In coming conflicts, success may depend less on numbers and more on who:

• detects first
• communicates safely
• decides faster

Quantum technology sits at the heart of all three.

How We Verify

• Official MoD and CDS releases
• Cabinet-approved PIB documents on the National Quantum Mission
• Parliamentary replies and DST data
• US National Quantum Initiative budget supplements
• Peer-reviewed research and policy studies

All figures used are official or peer-reviewed.