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The United Kingdom (UK) and Germany are to work closer together to unlock the benefits of quantum technology in a major new science initiative between the two countries. A new suite of announcements aims to further cement a deep relationship between the two countries, with £6 million ($8.0) million) of joint funding for quantum R&D, £8 million ($10.7 million) investment in Fraunhofer UK’s applied photonics center in Glasgow, and a new agreement on quantum research standards. The two countries made the announcement, Dec. 5.

The UK Government said by 2045 quantum as a technology could contribute £11 billion ($14.7 billion) to UK GDP and over 100,000 jobs in the UK alone. Quantum technology could revolutionize fields such as cybersecurity, drug discovery, medical imaging, and much more. It says international collaboration is seen as crucial to unlocking these benefits.

All of this builds on recent progress to broaden and deepen the UK-Germany relationship on science and tech still further. Just last week, the UK and Germany jointly funded over 6 billion euros ($7.0 billion) of activity, of a total European Space Agency (ESA) budget of over 22 billion euros ($25.7 billion). This included 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) joint funding for launch programs, and a 192 million euros ($223.9 million) shared commitment to the VIGIL severe space weather mission, as well as other UK-Germany investments in programs driving growth and security.
The collaboration will also see the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Germany’s Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), which complements the NMI-Q initiative – a global effort to develop shared quantum standards.

“Quantum technology will revolutionize fields such as cybersecurity, drug discovery, medical imaging, and much more. International collaboration is crucial to unlocking these benefits. With its deep R&D expertise, top-tier skills and world leading institutions, Germany is a natural partner to the UK in these efforts. This is work that will not only advance the bounds of knowledge, but will support stronger economies, better jobs and healthy secure societies, in both our countries,” Lord Vallance, UK Science Minister, said in a statement.