Canada strengthens quantum defence innovation through new secure hub
August 18, 2026 – Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 1:50
Caption
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announces the Quantum DISH at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, on August 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Adrian Shellard, University of Calgary
To strengthen the Defence Team’s ability to harness emerging technologies, the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS) is launching the Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub (Quantum DISH), expanding opportunities for collaboration across the innovation ecosystem.
The August 6 launch took place during a keynote address by the Minister of National Defence, David McGuinty, in Calgary. During his remarks, the Minister announced that a University of Calgary-led consortium will receive $20.3 million to establish and operate the Quantum DISH at the Quantum City qHub in Calgary.
Advancing quantum technologies for defence and security
Quantum science is the study of extremely small particles, such as atoms and the particles that make up atoms, and how they behave. Quantum technologies use this understanding to perform tasks in new ways, making some calculations, communications, and sensing capabilities possible that traditional technologies cannot achieve. Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy identifies quantum technologies as key domains under several of the country's priority sovereign capability areas and highlights the importance of strengthening Canada's ability to develop, test, and field advanced defence technologies.
The hub will focus on four priority quantum areas:
- Sensing;
- Communications;
- Algorithms; and
- Hardware assurance.
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The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, tours a quantum technology research lab at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta on August 6, 2026.
Photo credit: WO Brangwyn Jones
Potential applications include Global Navigation Satellite System-independent navigation, spoofing detection, quantum-secure communications, decision-support tools, and the testing and validation of quantum devices and systems.
By connecting operational users directly with researchers, innovators, and industry partners, the Quantum DISH will help accelerate the transition of promising Canadian quantum technologies into deployable capabilities while strengthening Canada's sovereign capacity in a critical technology area.
Building on the Maritime DISH pilot and the recent announcement of the Uncrewed Systems (UxS) DISH, this initiative supports collaboration on quantum technologies for defence and security applications. This represents another milestone in the implementation of BOREALIS and supports the Canadian Armed Forces the Communications Security Establishment and Canada's broader defence and security priorities.
From innovation to operational impact
Caption
Quantum DISH announcement at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, August 6, 2026. From Left to Right: Minister Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration for Alberta, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, Dr. Megan Lee, Managing Director, Quantum City, University of Calgary, Dr. Edward McCauley President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Photo credit: Adrian Shellard, University of Calgary
BOREALIS was established to help accelerate the transition of Canadian innovation into operational capabilities for defence and national security. Through the DISH model, trusted partners collaborate in secure environments to develop, test, and validate technologies that address priority capability needs while supporting Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy.
DISHs bring together government, industry, academia, operational users, and Canada's security community to accelerate the development and integration of emerging technologies. By bridging the gap between research and operational use, the hubs help strengthen Canada's defence innovation ecosystem and sovereign industrial capacity.
As BOREALIS continues to evolve, the DISH network will help ensure Canada can develop, sustain, and leverage sovereign technologies in support of national defence and security.