Analysis of the Risks and Potentiel Interest Associated with Nanotechnologies in the Field of Defense and Security

This study, requested by the French Ministry of Defense (Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy underdirectarate for Defence Policy and Prospective), is designed to assess where nanotechnologies R&D and industrial players are headed with respect to defense and security, in France and other countries. It is based on available data and publications, and on interviews with scientists. The report also attempts to provide a forecast. Nanoscience’s and nanotechnologies cover the design and manufacture of devices and hardware systems in the nanometer (nm) scale. They involve multidisciplinary scientific fields, including physics and biology. They have the potential for breakthrough innovations, which would provide economy or military advantage to countries which master them. Several countries have launched research and development initiatives in nanotechnologies. Few among them are able to cover all subjects. Collaborations are therefore often required between laboratories in different countries. France contributes significantly to advances in this area, but has difficulty to capitalize on such research. Identifying potential partners for French laboratories is therefore essential. It is also important to identify defense-related strategic issues over which France does not have control, but for which finding partners is difficult, for various reasons. 

In addition to France, 12 countries were studied: USA, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Russia, UK, Taiwan, Brazil, Germany, China and South Korea.