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This book is about the strategic relevance of quantum technologies. It debates the military-specific aspects of this technology. Various chapters of this book cohere around two specific themes. The first theme discusses the global pattern of ongoing civilian and military research on quantum computers, quantum cryptography, quantum communications and quantum internet. The second theme explicitly identifies the relevance of these technologies in the military domain and the possible nature of quantum technology-based weapons. This thread further debates on quantum (arms) race at a global level in general, and in the context of the USA and China, in particular. The book argues that the defence utility of these technologies is increasingly becoming obvious and is likely to change the nature of warfare in the future.

Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- About the Author -- Introduction -- Purpose -- Nature of Work -- Summary of Approach -- Research Approach -- Structure of the Book -- Section One -- 1 The Context of Technology -- 1.1 Technological Imperatives -- 1.1.1 Technology and National Power -- 1.1.2 Natural Determinants -- 1.1.3 Politics and Polity Determinants -- 1.1.4 Cultural Determinants -- 1.1.5 Ideological and Psychological Determinants -- 1.1.6 Theories of Technology -- 1.1.7 Laws for Growth of Technology -- 1.2 Innovation -- 1.2.1 Innovation and Globalization -- 1.2.2 The S-Curve of Innovation -- 1.2.3 Innovation, Technologies and the Shift in Techno-economic Paradigms -- 1.3 Disruption Versus Innovation -- 1.4 Closure -- References -- 2 Defence and Disruptive Technologies -- 2.1 Background -- 2.2 Technology and Warfare -- 2.3 Disruptive Technologies in Defence -- 2.4 Emerging and New Technologies -- 2.5 Disruptive Military Technologies -- 2.5.1 Tanks -- 2.5.2 Transportation Systems -- 2.6 Closure -- References -- Section Two -- 3 Hypersonic Weapons -- 3.1 About the Hypersonic -- 3.2 Account of Advance -- 3.3 The Development of Hypersonic Technology -- 3.4 Launch Systems and Weapons -- 3.5 Investments by Major Powers -- 3.5.1 Hypersonic Weapons Programme of the USA -- 3.5.2 Russia and Hypersonic Weapons -- 3.5.3 China's Hypersonic Programme -- 3.5.4 India's Hypersonic Programme [46] -- 3.6 The Deterrence Dilemma -- 3.6.1 Nuclear Rivalries -- 3.7 Countermeasures -- 3.8 Closure -- Appendix -- References -- 4 New Materials -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Advanced Materials -- 4.3 Few Vital Strategic Materials -- 4.3.1 Graphene -- 4.3.2 Silicene -- 4.3.3 Germanane -- 4.3.4 Phosphorene -- 4.3.5 Antimonene -- 4.3.6 Stanene -- 4.3.7 Metamaterials -- 4.3.8 Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) [40] -- 4.3.9 New Solar Cells -- 4.3.10 Shape Memory Alloys [48].

Asymmetry in warfare is not a new phenomenon. Historically, it has been observed that on various occasions there has been a marked difference in the relative military power and strategy of the warring states. However, in the post 9/11 era, it has been observed that the character and nature of war itself is changing particularly amid the wars between state and non-state actors. The usage of unconventional tools and tactics, be it guerrilla warfare or terrorism or irregular warfare or any other forms are becoming more synonymous with non-state entities. All this is leading to a composition of warfare in which a non-state actor is using asymmetric methods to target the state's vulnerabilities to achieve disproportionate effect. This paper debates the notion of Asymmetric Warfare, the characters of actors involved and the nature of the state's response in the 21st century.