Key Highlights
- IBM and Lockheed Martin are establishing a quantum computing facility in Switzerland at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre located in Lugano.
- The facility will feature Switzerland’s inaugural IBM Quantum System Two, equipped with IBM’s Quantum Nighthawk processor.
- The system is scheduled for installation by late 2026, with cloud-based quantum access available earlier.
- armasuisse, Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement, is supporting the initiative.
- Two collaborative research initiatives will focus on quantum sensing for navigation systems and metallic alloy additive manufacturing.
A new quantum computing center is coming to Switzerland through a partnership between IBM and Lockheed Martin, formalized through an agreement with the Swiss government’s defence procurement agency.
The facility will be located at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre in Lugano, which operates under the umbrella of ETH Zurich, a premier European research institution.
The centerpiece will be an IBM Quantum System Two, representing Switzerland’s first installation of IBM’s next-generation quantum computing platform. The system features the IBM Quantum Nighthawk processor, currently IBM’s most sophisticated quantum processing unit.
The complete installation is targeted for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026. Until then, participants will have remote access to IBM’s cloud-hosted quantum computing infrastructure.
Access and Eligibility
The quantum system will be available to Swiss enterprises, emerging technology companies, and educational institutions via ETH Zurich’s coordination. Users will also receive membership in the IBM Quantum Network and access to the IBM Quantum Platform.
Educational programming will encompass academic courses, professional certifications, hands-on workshops, competitive hackathons, and industry conferences.
Primary research domains will include molecular chemistry, advanced materials science, complex optimization problems, and applications in financial services.
Two collaborative development initiatives are planned between IBM and Lockheed Martin. The first examines quantum sensing technology for navigation applications. The second explores advanced manufacturing techniques for metallic alloy production.
armasuisse, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement in Switzerland, is providing institutional support for the project, leveraging its role in managing the nation’s defense and security acquisitions.
Joƫl Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, emphasized that the new infrastructure would advance both cutting-edge quantum research and talent development initiatives.
Dr. Craig Martell, chief technology officer at Lockheed Martin, highlighted that the collaboration builds on the companies’ existing work in quantum computing and artificial intelligence while strengthening Switzerland’s position in emerging technologies.
Alessandro Curioni from IBM stated that the program delivers advanced quantum computing capabilities and specialized knowledge directly to Swiss research institutions and commercial enterprises.
Partnership History
The IBM-Lockheed Martin collaboration began in 2021, when Lockheed invested $1.3 million in the Institut Quantique at UniversitƩ de Sherbrooke in Quebec.
Following that initial partnership, both organizations have collaborated on quantum technology applications spanning defense systems, national security operations, and aerospace production processes.
IBM has pledged over $10 billion toward quantum computing research and production capabilities across the coming five years.
This Swiss initiative builds upon a separate decade-long partnership between IBM and ETH Zurich centered on fundamental algorithmic research.
European nations have emerged as priority markets for U.S. quantum technology firms. Substantial government investment and robust academic research institutions have positioned the region as an ideal environment for quantum computing advancement.
Stock performance for both corporations showed minimal movement during Thursday’s premarket session. IBM shares declined 0.3%, while Lockheed Martin shares increased 0.7%.
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