In the future, quantum computers could fundamentally transform the way military operations are conducted, how sensitive information is protected, logistics, and decision-making by commanders on the modern battlefield. Through the Quantum Innovation Center Czech Republic, the Czech Republic has joined the global research effort on quantum technologies, and the University of Defense is also one of the key partners in this project. In a CZ DEFENCE podcast, Pavel Kolář – former commander of the Czech Special Forces and current project manager at the Quantum Innovation Center Czech Republic – discussed the current capabilities of quantum computers, their future military applications, cooperation with the Czech Army, and the need to train a new generation of experts.

Video: Pavel Kolář: The Transition to Quantum Technologies Is About People / CZ DEFENCE

Quantum technologies represent one of the areas that could significantly shape modern armed forces in the coming decades. Their potential ranges from processing vast amounts of information to developing new materials and navigating in environments where an adversary can jam satellite signals. Although quantum computers are often referred to as technologies of the future, their practical application has already begun. The Czech Republic is part of this development through the Quantum Innovation Center Czech Republic, which connects academic institutions, the defense sector, and industry. According to Pavel Kolář, however, it is important not to succumb to the notion that a quantum computer is a universal tool capable of instantly solving any problem. He compares the current situation to the early days of classical computers in the 1950s, when experts sensed their future significance, but specific applications were only just beginning to emerge. “At present, it is not some magical box capable of calculating everything. It is a machine whose theoretical ability to be a very useful tool – and to outperform a classical computer in certain operations – has been demonstrated. We have already achieved the first usable and tangible results,” explains Kolář.

Quantum computers are, for now, technologically extremely demanding devices. They require specific operating conditions – in some cases, cooling to temperatures approaching absolute zero – and operating them requires knowledge of mathematics, computer science, quantum mechanics, and programming. Furthermore, unlike conventional computers, they are not designed to perform all computational operations independently. Their significance lies primarily in their ability to solve certain exceptionally complex problems that are difficult for classical computing systems. The Czech Quantum Innovation Center operates within the international IBM Quantum Network ecosystem. It brings together eight scientific institutions – specifically, seven universities and the Czech Academy of Sciences. Crucially, defense and security are also a common focus of their activities. “I believe we have been very successful in launching processes so that we are all moving in the same direction, which is essential for us and is defined in relation to defense and security. The entire community is working toward the goal of enhancing this country’s defense capabilities,” emphasizes Kolář.

Researchers in the Czech Republic access quantum computers remotely via a cloud environment. They formulate a specific problem, develop an algorithm, and utilize a combination of classical and quantum computing resources. According to Kolář, the classical computer performs most of the operations, while the quantum system takes on the specific computationally intensive part of the task. Thanks to its position within the IBM network, the Czech center has access to cutting-edge technologies, including systems with 156 quantum bits, or qubits. However, the number of qubits alone does not constitute a universal measure of computational power. The research is no longer purely theoretical. Within the Czech consortium, dozens of subprojects have been launched, focusing, among other things, on areas of interest to the military. The researchers work in cycles lasting several months, during which they test the practical applications of individual algorithms. “Our scientists, academics, and students are already using a quantum computer. They’re already doing practical work. We’re just getting started; we don’t have tangible results yet, but we’ve already set the process in motion,” Kolář notes.

One of the main topics is the specific application of quantum technologies in future military operations. According to Kolář, experts are focusing primarily on the development of new materials, pharmaceutical research, and optimization problems. It is optimization, in particular, that opens up exceptionally interesting possibilities for the armed forces. In a civilian context, this might involve, for example, transportation planning, supply chain management, or the efficient operation of large-scale logistics networks. In a military context, similar principles can be applied to troop movements, supply route planning, risk assessment, or the coordination of complex operations. In this context, Kolář recalled the experiences of colleagues in addressing transportation issues with regard to the potential danger of improvised explosive devices. When searching for optimal routes, he used mathematical methods based on game theory. It is precisely such tasks that represent one of the areas where quantum computing could offer new possibilities in the future. “Of course, the scenario where a commander is in an operations room, now inundated with all kinds of information he needs to make sense of, is part of the optimization process. That can be helpful in a military setting,” explains the former special forces commander.

In connection with the modernization of the Czech Army, this raises the question of using quantum technologies, for example, in processing information from future F-35 fighter jets. These jets will be part of an extensive system for collecting, sharing, and evaluating data, the effectiveness of which will be an increasingly important factor in military decision-making. Kolář confirms that such tasks fit perfectly into the potential applications of quantum technologies. Equally important is the question of their relationship to artificial intelligence. AI is already gradually finding its way into military planning, data analysis, and command-and-control systems. According to Kolář, the two technologies could complement each other in the future. “Artificial intelligence will be like the brain of the body – it will prepare, process, and evaluate data. Meanwhile, the quantum computer will be like a muscle, performing the complex calculations needed for that very processing, evaluation, and preparation,” says Kolář, explaining his vision for their future collaboration.

Cryptography also poses a major security challenge. Current encryption methods protect vast amounts of information, including military communications, strategic documents, and personal data. However, sufficiently powerful quantum computers could, in the future, break some of the cryptographic systems commonly used today. Kolář draws particular attention to the danger posed when an adversary is already collecting encrypted data today on the assumption that they will be able to decrypt it in the future. This principle is known as *harvest now, decrypt later*. “Someone might say: ‘Okay, but that won’t happen for another ten years, for example.’ However, the information available today – especially in the fields of defense and security – is of a long-term nature. This information could still be used against us in the future,” warns Kolář. The answer to this threat is post-quantum cryptography, which is designed to ensure information security even when powerful quantum computers become available. However, the transition to new security methods will not be easy. It requires not only technological changes but also the training of qualified experts and the gradual modernization of information systems. In this context, Kolář pointed to the year 2033 as one of the significant milestones related to U.S. plans for the transition to new cryptographic standards.

Another important area of research is quantum sensors. Their extraordinary sensitivity could enable more precise measurements of physical quantities and, above all, contribute to navigation in environments where a satellite signal is not available. “Currently, we use the GPS system, which can be disrupted. In the event of a failure of this current navigation system and its European equivalent, quantum sensors – by being able, for example, to measure magnetic fields and other navigation-related properties with high sensitivity – can compensate for the failed component and improve the accuracy of, or even enable, navigation itself,” explains Kolář.

For a modern military, whose capabilities are increasingly dependent on precise navigation, synchronization, and data connectivity between individual systems, such technologies could represent a significant advantage. At the same time, this is another example of how technological progress opens up new possibilities while also creating new demands on personnel. It is precisely the issue of the Czech Armed Forces’ readiness that therefore took on fundamental importance in the interview. The University of Defense is one of the key partners of the Quantum Innovation Center, and its faculty, students, and staff are involved in education and practical research projects. Experts from the military community are also participating in the collaboration.

According to Kolář, it is important to distinguish between specialists who will directly develop and utilize quantum technologies and commanders who primarily need to understand their capabilities and limitations. “I think the demands placed on today’s soldiers are extremely high, and we must be able to determine to what extent a given individual in that team will be involved in the overall effort,” he points out. When it began operations, the Czech center set a goal of training approximately 500 experts. In addition to basic training activities, advanced programs are also underway in collaboration with IBM, focused on working independently with quantum computers and tackling specific projects. According to Kolář, the center is successfully meeting its original goals and gradually building a broader community of experts.

As a former high-ranking official in the Czech Armed Forces, he views the military’s interest in new technologies positively. In his experience, the military leadership recognizes that technological development is an essential component of future defense capabilities. NATO and European Union programs, which support the introduction of breakthrough technologies into the security and defense sectors, also play a significant role in this regard. According to Kolář, quantum computers will not replace classical computing systems. They will complement them in areas where their specific capabilities offer a real advantage. Nevertheless, he expects that the period between 2026 and 2030 may see a significant acceleration in their development. The question, then, is not only how quickly the technologies will advance, but whether institutions – and above all, people – will be able to prepare for their use. This is precisely where Pavel Kolář sees the most important task for the Czech Armed Forces. “We have fantastic access to unique, cutting-edge technologies, but technology can be bought or leased. Building a solid pool of experts takes ages. And in this regard, I would recommend that the army continue its efforts. Simply put, the transition to quantum technologies is about people, just as it is with many other new technologies. And the broader the pool of these people – these experts – that we have at our disposal, the better off we’ll be,” concludes Pavel Kolář, project manager of the Quantum Innovation Center Czech Republic, in the latest episode of the CZ DEFENCE podcast.