In September 2023, partners from the PTQCI and DISCRETION projects demonstrated a Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) system during the REPMUS 2023 (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems) and NATO Dynamic Messenger 2023 exercises. Organized by the Portuguese Navy at the Operational Experimentation Centre in Troia, Portugal, the exercise brought together over 2,000 participants from 30 countries.
According to the PTQCI demonstrations page, the Gabinete Nacional de Segurança, Instituto de Telecomunicações, and Deimos participated in the field demonstration. The system exchanged cryptographic keys generated by CV-QKD technology to protect sensitive information transmitted between a command center and a docked navy frigate, integrating a Software Defined Network, QKD node, key management system, cipher machines, and Software Defined Radios.
The demonstration marked the first time PTQCI partners tested quantum-secure communications in an operational military scenario hosted by NATO. CV-QKD technology is compatible with existing optical telecommunications networks, making it a candidate for broader deployment across defense and government infrastructure.