While drones, hypersonic missiles, and satellite surveillance, define the current landscape of defence technology, India is betting on quantum technology to power its next generation of defence tools, from secure communication networks to navigation systems that work without GPS.
At its core, quantum technology helps exponentially faster computing and unbreakable communication, making it a critical layer in modern military strategy. Countries like the US and China are investing billions in quantum research. India, too, has taken its earlier steps to promote quantum-tech with the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in 2023, with a ₹6,003 crore budget.
“Quantum is unhackable, unbreakable, and it gives you extreme speed,” said Sanjay Chittore, Founder and CEO of Quantum AI, who has a centre of excellence-Qulabs. “It’s not just about technology. It’s physics, electronics, and computing, all coming together to offer strategic superiority.”
Several Indian start-ups are working in this field to develop this technology. Hyderabad-based Quantum AI, which operates its Centre of Excellence under the name Qulabs, is working on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a method of communication so secure, even quantum computers can’t break it. These keys can be distributed over ground-based fibre, wirelessly, or even through satellites, enabling quantum-safe communication networks.
QuBeats, another Hyderabad-based quantum sensing company, recently won the ADITI 2.0 Defence Challenge, securing ₹25 crore in funding from the government. They are developing a Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy that works even when GPS is denied or jammed. “We exploit fundamental properties of atoms, like spin or magnetism, to measure magnetic fields with high sensitivity,” said co-founder Mallikarjun Karra, a PhD candidate at the Max Planck Society. “Using these measurements and advanced map-matching, we can navigate even in GPS-blind zones like deep seas or bunkers.
A long road to commercialisation
Despite these advances, India’s quantum ecosystem is still in early stages, particularly when it comes to funding and commercialisation. The NQM , approved in 2023 with a budget of ₹6,003 crore, aims to build quantum computers, secure communication networks, and sensors. However, only ₹17 crore has been disbursed so far, according to an individual RTI response.
Comparatively, China has reportedly invested approximately $14 billion in its quantum ecosystem, said Chittore.
India’s earlier push for quantum began in the 2020 Budget, which announced an ₹8,000 crore allocation for the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA) over five years. That plan was later rebranded and scaled into the current NQM, with a revised budget of ₹6,003.65 crore spread across eight years.
For now, quantum communication’s applications remain largely limited to defence, government and critical infrastructure, with commercial adoption yet to gain traction. But the potential is wide, Chittore explained. Once the commercial market opens up, the applications will be everywhere, healthcare, fintech, logistics, space tech,” Chittore said. “But for now, we are focused on working with DRDO, NPCI, and other government institutions.
Companies like QpiAI, selected under the NQM works in applications beyond defence. They develop quantum-powered AI systems for industries like space, healthcare and industrial automation, among others. “Our goal is to discover the most optimal AI systems and deploy them at the speed of light,” said founder Nagendra Nagaraja. QpiAI draws most of its revenue from international clients, with projects spanning smart cities in Saudi Arabia, pharma companies in the US, and cosmetics majors in France.
India’s quantum leap is still developing
India has made important strides. In June 2025, researchers at IIT Delhi demonstrated quantum entanglement-based secure communication over a distance of 1 km. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed it as a “landmark achievement”, marking the first real-world step towards a future quantum internet in India. However, the ecosystem still faces challenges.
“Quantum is evolving at a very drastic pace,” said Chittore, Founder of Qulabs. “But how many companies can productise quantum, and true leadership comes from this, he concluded.
Published on July 27, 2025
