The tender seeks support in drafting a new defence quantum plan, following years of preparation from the EU to facilitate quantum innovation. 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) announced plans on 4 April to launch a EUR1.6 million tender to develop a quantum technology action plan. 

Two lots are being considered. The first will focus upon the “development and implementation of the action plan on quantum”, while the second will involve “launching quantum defence projects for foundational research and technology”, according to the EU’s notice. 

An information session is being held on 7 May, with registrations closing two days prior, before the contract is formally launched on 13 May. 

Once awarded the contract awardee(s) will carry out the described work over a 48-month period. 

The planning notice details that consultative work is also required to be undertaken by the selected vendor, from engineering and pre-feasibility studies to technological demonstrations.  

“This initiative is part of our commitment to advance quantum technology and innovation in the EU defence sector”, the organisation said in a LinkedIn post. 

Although specific details on the action plan are not provided, one might expect it to detail priority quantum technologies, current industrial capabilities within the EDA’s remit, and focus areas for the galvanisation of the EU’s -defence-industrial base. 

How we got here… 

Back in 2016, members of the European Commission launched the Quantum Manifesto for Quantum Technologies, intended to inform how EU members could compete with a global “revolution” in quantum technology. 

Two years later a EUR1 billion Quantum Technologies Flagship programme was created. It specifically backs projects covering quantum computing, simulation, communication, sensing and metrology. The programme began funding projects in 2018 and will continue until 2028. 

The commission’s Digital Decade strategy – released in 2023 – declared its intent to be “at the cutting edge of quantum capabilities by 2030”.  

Meanwhile, the European Chips Act attempted to lay the groundwork for “the low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of quantum chips in the EU”. 

Now, amid intensifying global competition in the private sector, a move to create a quantum technology action plan for defence seems timely, especially given the groundwork done to bolster the technology since 2016. Although, a clear roadmap is required detailing how this will be achieved, with the action plan hopefully addressing this.  

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