On January 18, 2021, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) published the DND/CAF Quantum Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. DND/CAF describes it as the first federal departmental quantum science and technology strategy and says it is intended to advance Canada’s defence, safety, and security interests as quantum technologies move toward operational use.
The strategy foreword says the document is organized around three pillars: moving quantum technologies into defence capabilities, building partnerships across government, academia, industry, and allies, and bringing coherence to quantum science, technology, and innovation investments across the Defence team. DND/CAF identifies sensing, communications, computing, and new materials as the core technology areas addressed by the strategy.