Integrating On-Premise Quantum Hardware Within High-Performance Computing Environments Redefines Strategic Autonomy
The unveiling of Euro-Q-Exa at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) represents a decisive pivot in Europe’s technological strategy, moving beyond the mere consumption of quantum services toward genuine infrastructural ownership. Developed by IQM Quantum Computers and co-funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, this 54-qubit system serves as a cornerstone of sovereign digital capability rather than just another node in the global computational grid.
By embedding the IQM Radiance platform directly into an established high-performance computing (HPC) ecosystem, stakeholders are prioritizing deep technical integration over superficial cloud access. This deployment, scheduled to scale to 150 qubits by late 2026, ensures that European researchers and industries retain critical intellectual property while mastering the operational complexities of hybrid quantum-classical workflows essential for future scientific breakthroughs.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Sovereign Control: Shifts the paradigm from remote, black-box cloud access to on-premise operation, securing IP and fostering local operational expertise.
- Hybrid Architecture: Facilitates tight coupling with classical supercomputers to accelerate realistic workflows in pharmacology and climate modelling.
- Scalable Roadmap: Launches with 54 superconducting qubits, with a confirmed upgrade path to 150 qubits to support sustained industrial application.
- Pan-European Strategy: Integrates as one of six coordinated EuroHPC quantum sites, reinforcing continental technological independence and ecosystem interoperability.
Beyond the Black Box: The Case for Sovereign Hardware
For years, the global quantum narrative has been dominated by cloud-access models, where users submit jobs to remote machines they never see. But in an era defined by ubiquitous cloud connectivity, does physical hardware location actually matter for long-term innovation? The launch of Euro-Q-Exa suggests the answer is a resounding yes. As noted by Dr. Jan Goetz, CEO of IQM Quantum Computers, leadership belongs to nations that own their infrastructure, not merely those with login credentials.
True technological sovereignty requires the ability to build, maintain, and evolve systems locally. Relying solely on remote access is like trying to master race car engineering while only ever being allowed to sit in the passenger seat; you experience the speed, but you never learn how to build the engine. By hosting Euro-Q-Exa on-premise, LRZ and its partners are ensuring that European institutions cultivate the deep institutional knowledge required to design the next generation of quantum processors and algorithms, rather than remaining dependent on external providers.
Mastering the Hybrid Workflow
The strategic value of Euro-Q-Exa lies in its deep integration with LRZ’s existing supercomputing architecture. Quantum computers are rarely standalone solutions; their real-world utility emerges when they function as accelerators for classical HPC systems. This “hybrid” approach allows researchers to offload specific complex problems—such as simulating molecular interactions for neurodegenerative disease research—to the quantum processor while the classical supercomputer handles the broader workload.
This tight coupling reduces latency and enables the development of sophisticated workflows that are impossible to replicate via standard cloud APIs. As Prof. Dieter Kranzlmüller of LRZ highlights, combining these strengths opens new scientific dimensions. It moves the technology from theoretical experimentation to practical application, allowing industries to test use cases in a secure, controlled environment that fosters rapid iteration and IP retention.
Future Outlook
The deployment of Euro-Q-Exa is not a finish line but a foundational step in Europe’s roadmap toward exascale capabilities. With a planned upgrade to 150 qubits by 2026, the system is engineered to mature alongside the algorithms it supports. As part of a coordinated network involving six European nations, this infrastructure ensures that Europe does not merely participate in the quantum revolution but actively shapes its trajectory, securing a competitive industrial base for the decades ahead.
About IQM Quantum Computers:
IQM is a global leader in superconducting quantum computers. IQM provides both on-premises full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform to access its systems. IQM customers include leading high-performance computing centres, research laboratories, universities, and enterprises that require full access to quantum hardware and software. IQM has over 300 employees, with headquarters in Finland and a global presence in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States.
About the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ):
For over 60 years, the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) has been one of Europe’s leading high-performance computing centres, providing advanced digital infrastructure to a broad scientific community across disciplines including engineering, life sciences, physics, and digital humanities. Located in Garching near Munich, LRZ operates national and European-scale supercomputing systems and supports users with deep expertise in HPC application development, portability, and scalability. LRZ is actively shaping the future of digital infrastructure by integrating emerging technologies, including quantum computing.
