Australia Initiates Quantum Project to Conduct Military Ops in GPS-Denied Environment

Australia has launched a quantum technology project designed to help its military maintain operations in areas where Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are degraded or denied.

Led by Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), the initiative focuses on developing secure timing technologies by creating a ground-to-satellite optical quantum link—one of the most technically demanding components of a quantum-secured timing network.

Funded by the Australian Army, the project aims to give the Australian Defence Force (ADF) an operational edge in contested and GPS-challenged environments. By establishing a robust and secure link between ground stations and satellites, Defence hopes to achieve precise timing synchronisation across its military platforms.

DSTG is working alongside CSIRO, the Australian National University, and the University of Western Australia. These partnerships aim to deliver two key components: optical ground stations and quantum light sources.

The project reflects goals set in the 2024 National Defence Strategy, which called for faster development of next-generation technologies to support modern military operations. Quantum science was listed as one of six key priorities in the strategy document and in Defence’s broader innovation plan, Accelerating Asymmetric Advantage.

With growing reliance on timing and navigation systems, the push for GPS-independent solutions is viewed as critical to maintaining secure and resilient defence capabilities in future conflict scenarios.