Mr. Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice President of Land and Air Systems at Thales Group, spoke to Security & Defense Arabia about the role of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing in strengthening air defense and confronting growing threats. The following is the speech text:
In the ever-evolving landscape of air defence, a profound transformation is taking place, one that will redefine how we protect our skies, safeguard critical infrastructure, and maintain national security.
The tools driving this change are not just new — they are revolutionary. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing (QC) are the dynamic duo reshaping the long-term future of air defence, and the UAE is poised to lead the way in this technological revolution.
Whether we see it or not, the skies are teeming with aircraft, drones, and satellites. It is a complex environment, one where every second counts. Air Defence systems can see and track every movement in the sky. Speed of reaction is at the core of winning a conflict or not. What if, decisions could be made much faster of addressing a threat of not, giving operational advantage particularly in high intensity conflict environments? That’s where over the next few decades AI and Quantum Computing come in.
The AI Advantage: Thinking Faster Than a Human Ever Could and accelerating the OODA loop
Let’s start with AI. Picture a scenario where a swarm of drones is heading towards a critical installation like a busy mall or a sports event. Traditionally, this would require a human operator to sift through a vast amount of data to take a decision on how to respond for threat assessment and weapons assignment — and we know, even with the best training, humans can only process so much information at once.
Now, imagine AI stepping in. It analyzes thousands of data points in real time, almost immediately recognizing patterns. It identifies which drones are threats and which are simply decoys. It then proposes the most effective response to the human operator: should the system neutralize the threat immediately, or is there another course of action? At the blink of an eye, faster than any human could, AI has given us the information we need to make a choice. This is the power of AI: speed, precision, and the ability to handle complexity on an unprecedented scale. It’s like having a super-intelligent co-pilot who never gets tired. With very low altitude threats and hypersonic missiles, defence systems have to accelerate the tempo of operation by accelerating the OODA loop (Observation, Orientation, Decision & Action) with new AI-based Capabilities.
Quantum Computing: The Unseen Force Powering the Future
Now, let’s add Quantum Computing to the mix. To understand its impact, let me take you to a moment you’ve probably experienced — watching a movie on your laptop. You click ‘play,’ and the video starts instantly. But if the movie had to be downloaded from the internet every time you hit ‘play,’ that delay would feel unbearable. In typical air defence systems, that ‘download time’ can’t exist. Every decision, every calculation, must happen instantly. That’s where quantum computing with its exponential acceleration is a game-changer.
Traditional computers handle data in bits, which can be either a 0 or a 1. Quantum computers, on the other hand, use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist as 0, 1, or both simultaneously, exponentially increasing their processing power. Imagine trying to optimize trajectories of tens or hundreds of drones simultaneously. A regular computer tries every possible combination one by one. A quantum computer? It can explore all possibilities at once, solving the path planning problems in seconds.
In the context of air defence, this means that quantum computing can process vast amounts of data from radar systems, sensors, and satellites simultaneously and in real time to improve tracking of hypersonic and hyper-maneuvering new threats. It can enhance object detection, even for stealthy targets like low-flying drones or hypersonic missiles, reconfigure in real-time C4I system in case of failures or mission changes, allocate resources of sensors and weapons more efficiently and enable unbreakable encryption for secure communications. It’s the next frontier in high power processing, offering capabilities that were once unimaginable.
Bringing It Together: The Ultimate Defence System
Now, let’s bring these two forces — AI and Quantum Computing — together. AI, with its ability to analyze data and propose the best options for decision making in real-time, is the ‘brain’ of the operation. Quantum Computing, with its lightning-fast processing and unmatched power, is the ‘adrenaline.’ When combined in future of tomorrow, the combination can offer a complete, unstoppable force that can provide the right data and action suggestions to the decision makers (operators) enhancing the protection of our skies and national security. When we take quantum-enhanced radar systems powered by AI, the system doesn’t just track an aircraft or missile — it tracks everything in the sky, analyzes their movements, and even runs predictions on their path and predict their intentions. It can distinguish between a civilian aircraft and a military threat, all while communicating with other systems, maintaining full security and confidentiality.
Leading the Change in Technological Innovation
As we look ahead, there are exciting opportunities on the horizon. Air defence systems will in future decades be enhanced by hybrid systems that combine classical computing, AI, and Quantum Computing. Quantum computing-enhanced sensors will revolutionize how we detect, track, identify and neutralize stealth aircraft and missiles, and AI will evolve into a trusted digital partner in military collaborative decision-making.
The UAE is uniquely positioned to lead in this new era of air defence. The nation’s commitment to innovation, coupled with its strategic vision for the future, makes it the perfect environment for AI and Quantum Computing to thrive. From investments in AI research to partnerships with global technology leaders, the UAE has already made significant strides toward integrating these technologies into its defence framework. The UAE is not just adopting the future; it’s actively shaping it.
A Safer, More Secure Future
The future of air defence is not just about advanced technology; it’s about ensuring that these advancements work together seamlessly to provide the highest levels of security, efficiency, and effectiveness accelerating the time of response when faced with simultaneous, multiple threats of all types – providing operational superiority. AI and Quantum Computing are not just technical upgrades — they are game-changers and the UAE, with its forward-thinking approach, is poised to be at the forefront of this transformation.
As we move forward, the key to success will be not only investing in cutting-edge technologies, but also nurturing the local talent that will guide these innovations. AI and Quantum Computing can only reach their full potential if we have the expertise to manage and integrate them into real-world defence systems.
Securing the sovereignty of these technologies will be critical. Ensuring control over the development and deployment of these technologies within our borders will protect national security and safeguard against external vulnerabilities. By building homegrown capabilities, nations ensure that their most critical systems remain secure, independent, and resilient in the face of evolving threats.