Ostrava: Europe has inaugurated its second quantum computer, the VLQ, in Ostrava, Czechia, marking a significant progression in the Quantum Strategy aimed at establishing Europe as a global leader in quantum technology by 2030. This initiative is part of a strategic effort to enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the global quantum landscape.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the VLQ quantum computer is co-funded by the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) and involves collaboration among eight countries, including Czechia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This integration aims to strengthen Europe’s quantum infrastructure. Once completely integrated with the EuroHPC supercomputer Karolina, the VLQ will offer a hybrid classical-quantum architecture to European users. Intended primarily for research and innovation, the VLQ will be accessible to academia, industry, and the public sector, facilitating advancements in applications such as Quantum Machine Learning.
Currently undergoing final calibration, the VLQ is anticipated to be operational by year-end. The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has thus far procured six quantum computers throughout Europe, with the first, PIAST-Q, inaugurated in Poland in June 2025.