WHY THE MILITARY WANTS TO BUILD QUANTUM COMPUTERS
In early 2025, Microsoft unveiled its Majorana quantum chip, sparking intense interest in the scientific and defense communities due to its potential for transformative military applications. Partnering with DARPA since 2024, Microsoft is contributing to the U.S. government's push to develop utility-scale quantum computers capable of revolutionizing warfare through advanced sensing, secure communication, and AI-powered surveillance. Although many military uses for quantum technology remain theoretical, initiatives like the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative aim to achieve fault-tolerant quantum systems by 2035. Quantum computing also threatens to undermine current encryption standards, prompting a global race to develop quantum-resistant cryptography. Despite skepticism over recent Chinese claims of breaking RSA encryption, the urgency around quantum security continues to grow amid rising geopolitical competition.