IBM, Lockheed Martin Launch Swiss Quantum Hub at ETH Zurich
IBM and Lockheed Martin have announced the establishment of a Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich. The companies describe this hub as anchored by Switzerland’s first IBM quantum computer, but the system is not yet on-site. IBM anticipates deploying it by the end of 2026.
The Announcement
The two companies, through an offset agreement with armasuisse (Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement), have set up the hub at ETH Zurich. IBM intends to install an IBM Quantum System Two, powered by its Nighthawk processor, which IBM describes as its “most advanced processor”, at the Swiss National Supercomputing Center in Lugano.
Both IBM’s press release and its blog post mention the processor family but do not specify its scale, nor the exact qubit count for this system.
Though the headline uses the word “anchored,” the physical “anchor” is not yet in place. ETH Zurich will manage access to the hub, and participating organizations can currently access IBM’s cloud quantum fleet. The dedicated on-site system will deploy in 2026, according to IBM’s timeline.
Undisclosed Details
The release vaguely defines Lockheed Martin’s specific role as combining its quantum sensing and additive manufacturing expertise with IBM’s computing and AI capabilities. The announcement lacks details on financial commitments, staffing, or access rights. The two mentioned projects, quantum sensing for navigation and additive manufacturing of metallic alloys, are in planning.
Further details regarding the hub’s funding, governance, and ownership remain undisclosed. The process for Swiss institutions to gain access, including any associated costs or prioritization criteria, has not been outlined beyond ETH Zurich’s coordination role. Craig Martell, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Technology Officer, stated that the project positions “Switzerland as a leader” in quantum and AI, presenting this as a forecast.
This announcement has been confirmed through IBM’s own channels: the IBM Quantum blog, IBM’s newsroom via PR Newswire, and a LinkedIn post by IBM’s Jay Gambetta.
Meanwhile, European policy aims to boost quantum industrial capacity through a proposed EU Quantum Act. However, Switzerland is not an EU member, so this framework does not directly explain or fund the new hub. This story presents a status update with a future deployment date, leaving several questions unanswered by IBM, Lockheed Martin, and ETH Zurich.