Quantum Enablers for Strategic Advantage (QUEST) – Corporate Participation

What this report covers

Technologies: Directed Energy Weapons, Quantum Computing, Sensing & Communications. A sourced, structured 7-page analysis for European defence and dual-use decision-makers, from the DFM research desk and built on official and primary sources.

About this report

On 27 May 2025, the Council of the European Union approved the launch of the sixth wave of projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU’s primary framework for collaborative defence capability development. With the addition of 11 new initiatives, the total number of PESCO projects rises to 75, marking a continued commitment by Member States to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness.

This wave reflects strategic guidance adopted by the European Council in March 2025 and addresses pressing capability gaps. The new projects span multiple domains, including land, maritime, air, and cutting-edge technologies such as directed energy weapons and quantum systems.

Key questions this report answers

• What is the QUEST project's place within the sixth wave of PESCO initiatives approved by the Council on 27 May 2025?
• How does QUEST address capability gaps in directed energy weapons and quantum systems alongside land, maritime and air domains?
• Which national industry clusters, such as Germany's sensor and quantum companies or Italy's defence electronics firms, participate in QUEST?
• What does raising the total number of PESCO projects to 75 mean for corporate participation and Europe's defence readiness?

Inside this report

• Finland – Coordination and Finnish Industry
• Germany – Sensor and Quantum Technology Companies
• Denmark – Defence Electronics and Surveillance Systems
• Italy – Defence Electronics and Integrated Systems
• Latvia – Small-Scale Industry and Research Labs
• Other EU Perspectives and Observers

Who it's for

Strategy, corporate-development and investment teams that need an ecosystem-level view — budgets, industrial capacity and technology landscapes — before committing capital or capacity.

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Methodology, format & delivery

DFM reports are built from primary and official sources — TED procurement notices, CORDIS and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, EIB operations, the NATO Innovation Fund portfolio, SIPRI data, official budget documents and company disclosures — read together with the underlying legal texts. Sources are cited in the document; it reflects them as of its publication date (11 June 2025). You receive a 7-page PDF, watermarked to you on every page, delivered on the confirmation page and by e-mail immediately after checkout (personal link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). Guest checkout, single-user licence — Terms of Sale.

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