ARQADE brings together five Spanish technology centers — CTIC (Asturias), AIR Institute (Castile and León), Eurecat (Catalonia), ITG (Galicia), and ITI (Valencia) — with complementary capabilities aimed at addressing the challenges quantum computing poses in the field of security and defense. The project is recognized as a Cervera Centre of Excellence and funded by Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI).
Our role: bringing quantum computing to real-world scenarios
Within the Network, AIR Institute coordinates the development of the algorithms that will enable the Armed Forces and the defense industry to start using quantum computing in real situations. To demonstrate that these technologies work outside the lab, the network has defined three specific scenarios in which we actively participate.
The first is the analysis of satellite and drone imagery in intelligence and surveillance operations, where quantum algorithms make it possible to process large volumes of information faster and more accurately. The second is the coordination of drone swarms for territorial coverage: simultaneously optimizing the routes, energy, and communications of dozens of autonomous vehicles is a problem of a complexity that quantum computing is particularly well suited to tackle. The third is navigation in GPS-denied environments — one of the most critical challenges for autonomous systems in conflict zones — where quantum algorithms help estimate position by combining multiple signal sources.
Salamanca, on the map of quantum innovation for defense
For us, joining ARQADE also means consolidating the role of Salamanca — and of Castile and León — in the national ecosystem of dual-use technological innovation. The network's work includes high-impact use cases: coordinating autonomous systems in the absence of GPS signal, protecting communications networks against advanced cyberattacks, and simulating complex mission scenarios. These are technologies that can also be transferred to strategic sectors such as healthcare, energy, or transport.
This project isn't starting from scratch. ARQADE builds on the results of its predecessor network, ARQA (2023–2025), which demonstrated the potential of quantum computing in areas such as industrial optimization, fraud detection, and satellite imagery analysis. That experience accumulated by our colleagues in the Network is what we're now steering toward defense.
The program is aligned with Spain's Quantum Technologies Strategy 2025–2030, the Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defense, and the guidelines of the European Union and NATO on technological sovereignty. In short, we are working in an area that leading international bodies identify as critical for the years ahead.
To stay up to date, visit the website https://redarqade.es/