Arqit invests in Sirius to scale quantum-safe comms for NATO
What's the deal? Arqit Quantum has made a strategic investment in Sirius ComputerDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a provider of secure computing and networking for defence, intelligence, and critical national infrastructure. The round, announced October 20, aims to accelerate quantum-safe communications for defence, government, and national security users. Arqit, listed on the Nasdaq, led the early-stage investment; its size was not disclosed.
What's the endgame? The deal builds on an existing partnership behind Crux, a software-based connectivity platform combining Sirius's secure networking with Arqit's Sovereign Key Platform and NetworkSecure adaptors. The offering runs on commercial devices and works alongside existing infrastructure, extending secure communications without replacing underlying networks.
Where's the money going? The investment will fund continued development of Crux and Sirius's broader software and hardware, deeper integration with Arqit's encryption, and new joint products. The companies plan to expand go-to-market activity across NATO members and allied nations, including the UK Ministry of Defence and US Department of Defense.
Why now? Arqit and Sirius have been selected as part of a winning consortium to provide secure networking services to NATO under a one-year contract with renewal options. That gives the partnership a potential route into defence customers beyond product demonstrations.
"This investment is a significant vote of confidence in our team and our technology," said Jason Van der Schyff, co-founder and chief executive officer of Sirius.
What could go wrong? Arqit's commercial base remains small. It reported $623,000 in first-half FY2026 revenue across 11 contracts, with preliminary full-year revenue near $1 million — down in the second half partly after a Middle East customer stopped generating revenue.
The signal: The bet reflects rising demand for post-quantum security as governments prepare for future threats. But with the investment size undisclosed and Arqit's revenue thin, contract conversion — not announcements — will be the real measure of whether the partnership scales.
Read more: morningstar.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
