Details
- IBM and Lockheed Martin, under an offset agreement with armasuisse, are establishing a quantum innovation hub at ETH Zurich, announced in September 2026.
- The hub will host Switzerland’s first IBM Quantum System Two at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano, operated by IBM and powered by an IBM Quantum Nighthawk processor.
- ETH Zurich will provide access, expertise, and supporting technologies to Swiss industries, startups and academic institutions, including quantum hardware, software, and education offerings.
- The initiative extends IBM–Lockheed Martin’s strategic collaboration, adding joint projects in quantum sensing for navigation and improved additive manufacturing of metallic alloys for aerospace and defense.
- The hub is designed to accelerate Swiss research and industrial use cases across chemistry, materials science, optimization, and financial services, while anchoring long-term workforce development through the IBM Quantum Network and training programs.
Impact
This hub positions Switzerland as a significant European node in the emerging quantum-centric supercomputing landscape, giving local researchers direct access to cutting-edge hardware and cloud-based quantum resources. Over the next 12–24 months, it is likely to catalyze new applied research consortia, deepen quantum skills across academia and industry, and attract additional defense and advanced manufacturing funding tied to quantum sensing and high-performance materials.
