Quantum Tech Replaces GPS, Global Arms Sales Increase, and Normalisation of Nuclear Brinkmanship
Defence startups are racing to solve the problem of spoofing and jamming. And it looks like the answer is quantum tech.
The global arms sales increased by 4% in 2023. Russia, South Korea, and Japan led the board with 40%, 39%, and 35% increase respectively.
But first, loose talks of using nuclear weapons signal normalisation of their use:
The Big Story
Quantum Tech Startups Replace GPS
Spoofing, jamming and other malign manipulation of GPS have become a growing threat to military technologies such as missiles and drones. US military agencies are now looking to find a solution in quantum physics.
Infleqtion, a Colorado-based startup, secured $11 million from the DoD this week to help advance its quantum positioning systems. The startup’s technology uses subatomic reactions to provide ultra-precise timekeeping, an essential component to building a system that tracks location with a high degree of accuracy.
“If you know where you started, and you know the changes in speed and direction you’re going, and you have an incredibly precise concept of time, you know exactly where you’ve gone. And that is un-spoofable,” said Matthew Kinsella, Infleqtion’s CEO, to Bloomberg.
The company’s system is called Tiqker. It is essentially a very sophisticated clock about the size of three stacked pizza boxes.
“The clock ticks about three orders of magnitude faster, so it is more precise than anything else portable out there,” Kinsella said.
Milan's rooftops rendered by the European Space Agency's CORINA Land Cover satellite service. Source: Bloomberg
SandboxAQ, a Silicon Valley startup with Eric Schmidt, Google’s ex-CEO as chairman, has a contract with the US Air Force to develop its AQNaav magnetic navigation system, which doesn’t rely on satellites. The solution uses sensors to rapidly detect small changes in the earth’s magnetic field. It works by pumping light particles into electrons and studying the changes as the light returns. An AI model and other algorithms then process the data to determine the aeroplane’s position on Earth.
Birds intuit their way across large spans of the ocean without visual cues using Earth’s unique magnetic fingerprints. SandboxAQ’s system matches the data it receives with a magnetic map of the earth to figure out the exact location.
Quantum computers have received huge investments without yet delivering results, but the potential of quantum sensors has so far been largely overlooked.
Russia, South Korea, and Japan Leads Increasing Arms Sales
In 2023, global arms sales increased by 4%, according to a new survey published by SIPRI. Russia led the world in arms sales growth, gaining 40%, closely followed by South Korea and Japan, with sales soaring by 39% and 35%, respectively.
Japan launched “its biggest military buildup program since the end of World War II” in 2022, and arms sales followed. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries saw sales rise by 24%.
South Korea’s defence industry is led by the Hanwha Group, which posted a sales increase of 53%.
To compare, sales in the US grew by 2.5%, and Europe had close to zero increase.
Earlier this year, SIPRI reported a 7% increase in global military spending in 2023, the steepest annual increase since 2009.
Image: Photo: Flickr/Bryan William Jone
In the News
Helsing’s Power Players: Leadership Behind the German Defence Tech Startup
Helsing, a German AI battlefield software startup, has raised over €820 million, reaching a valuation of €4.95 billion. Known for its role in equipping Ukrainian forces, the company focuses on integrating AI into battlefield systems, including drones and fighter jets. The leadership team includes former executives from Palantir, Airbus, and the British Royal Navy. Helsing’s innovative approach to AI in defence is attracting significant interest from investors and governments.
Read more at Sifted.
Polish Startups to Benefit from €100M Defence Fund
Poland has launched a €100 million Defence Fund to support startups and SMEs in developing defence and dual-use technologies. The fund aims to address capital gaps and foster technological sovereignty by focusing on AI, unmanned systems, and advanced materials. It plans to create over 3,000 high-skilled jobs, strengthen Poland’s defence ecosystem, and boost regional production capabilities. This initiative comes amid rising defence investments across NATO countries.
Read more at Tech Eu.
Israeli Army Halves Casualty Rate with New Technology
The Israel Defense Forces have reduced combat casualty rates by integrating technologies like drones for blood transport and freeze-dried plasma for field medics. These advancements, alongside faster evacuation protocols, have improved survival rates for injured soldiers. The IDF attributes the progress to innovation in trauma care and logistics, ensuring treatment within the critical “golden hour” for trauma victims.
Read more at Breaking Defense.
US Drone Maker Shield AI Moves Into Indian Defence Market
Shield AI has partnered with India’s JSW Group to produce V-BAT drones domestically, aligning with India’s Atmanirbharta initiative to boost self-reliant defence manufacturing. This $90 million joint venture aims to position India as a global production hub for unmanned systems while meeting domestic and international demand. The partnership underscores India’s shift from importing 65-70% of its defence equipment to manufacturing 65% locally.
Read more at Breaking Defense.
Latvia’s Defence Tech Startup Origin Secures €4.5M Grant
Latvia-based Origin received €4.5 million from the European Defence Fund to develop the MPortISTAR, a man-portable drone integrating laser target designation for NATO-compatible munitions. The project aims to reduce costs by 80% and enhance operational capabilities with lighter, more efficient designs. This initiative supports the EU’s goals of technological independence and strengthens defence capabilities in small and mid-sized nations.
Read more a Silicon Canals.
Moving Toward Defence as a Service
Traditional defence acquisition models are increasingly inadequate for the fast-evolving battlefield. Experts advocate shifting from product-based contracts to service-oriented outcomes that allow for rapid adaptation. Proposals include embedding engineers on the frontlines for real-time adjustments and establishing manufacturing hubs near conflict zones for faster deployment. These strategies aim to keep pace with adversaries’ innovation cycles and enhance military responsiveness.
Read more at War on the Rocks.
Trump’s New AI Czar: Game-Changer or Pandora’s Box?
President-elect Donald Trump plans to appoint an “AI czar” to oversee U.S. artificial intelligence strategy, aiming to counter China’s advancements. The role, bypassing Senate confirmation, could centralise AI development for national security and innovation but raises concerns over ethics and potential conflicts of interest. Elon Musk’s involvement as an advisor adds intrigue, reflecting a focus on leveraging private sector insights. Critics caution against over-centralisation and stress the need for multi-stakeholder governance to balance innovation and ethics.
Read more at Forbes.
Deepfake Threats to National Security
Deepfake technology poses a growing threat to national security, with potential misuse against military personnel for coercion, extortion, and misinformation. The Navy is implementing preventive measures, including training programmes and integration into existing support systems, to address this risk. The report highlights the urgent need for legislative and technological safeguards to combat AI-enabled cybercrime, emphasising its psychological and operational implications for the armed forces.
Read more at USNI.
