IBM and Lockheed Martin establish Swiss quantum hub at ETH Zurich

IBM and Lockheed Martin have established a Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich through an offset agreement with armasuisse, Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement. Organizations joining the hub through ETH Zurich can already use IBM’s cloud-based quantum computers, but the dedicated Swiss system remains planned for the end of 2026.

The dedicated IBM Quantum System Two is not yet operational. IBM said it plans to deploy the system at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre, or CSCS, in Lugano by the end of the year. The machine is expected to use an IBM Quantum Nighthawk processor.

ETH Zurich said its agreement with IBM covers installation and operation for three years, with the collaboration initially planned through 2029. IBM is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating the system. ETH Zurich and CSCS are to provide power, cooling and security, as well as manage the allocation of computing resources. ETH Zurich said funding comes through the Lockheed Martin-armasuisse offset agreement; neither organization’s announcement disclosed the amount or broader procurement terms.

Access is divided between services available now and capacity expected later. ETH Zurich users are to receive cloud access during installation and throughout the agreement. IBM said organizations joining the hub through ETH Zurich can also use its cloud fleet immediately. Once the dedicated system is deployed, ETH Zurich is to coordinate access for researchers in the ETH Domain, other Swiss universities and selected Swiss companies. The announcements did not specify membership criteria, fees or participating outside organizations.

Locating the planned quantum system at CSCS would place it within a national supercomputing center. IBM has separately described work on quantum-HPC workflows, but the hub announcement did not disclose plans to integrate the Swiss system with CSCS supercomputers.

IBM and Lockheed Martin also identified two proposed joint development projects. One would explore quantum-sensing applications for navigation; the other would seek to improve additive manufacturing of metallic alloys. The companies disclosed no start dates, budgets, milestones or performance targets. Neither announcement reported completed work or results from either project.

The organizations presented research in materials science, chemistry and quantum computing, algorithm development and industrial use cases as aims or expected benefits—not demonstrated outcomes of the planned Swiss system. IBM said the associated workforce program will include IBM Quantum Network and IBM Quantum Platform learning offerings, coursework, certifications, workshops, hackathons, conferences and partner forums. Neither opened source provided an exact installation or go-live date.