IBM and Lockheed Martin to Install First Quantum System in Switzerland

IBM and Lockheed Martin will install Switzerland's first IBM Quantum System Two at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre in Lugano by the end of 2026, marking a significant step in the country's quantum computing infrastructure. The deployment, announced on September 10, is funded through an offset agreement between Lockheed Martin and armasuisse, Switzerland's Federal Office for Defence Procurement. The system will be powered by IBM's Nighthawk r2 processor, which the company states has 120 programmable qubits and can execute over 100,000 circuits per second. IBM will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the quantum computer. The Swiss National Supercomputing Centre will host the system and provide the necessary power, cooling, and security infrastructure. ETH Zurich will coordinate access to the quantum hub for researchers, other Swiss universities, and selected Swiss companies. The university has not yet published the selection criteria for companies, the costs for access, or the details of capacity allocation. The initial agreement covers a three-year operational period through 2029.