Quantum computing is no longer just a laboratory promise. In recent months, several milestones have demonstrated that this technology is beginning to make steady progress toward real-world applications, both in industry and cybersecurity. Europe is positioning itself as a key player in this race, with projects ranging from protecting government communications to simulating gas turbines.
While tech giants race to build the first fault-tolerant quantum computer, governments and businesses in Europe are not far behind. The combination of classical supercomputing and quantum systems is opening the door to solving problems that were previously impossible to address, and data security has become a top priority in the face of the threat of 'Q-Day'.
Industrial applications: from turbines to nuclear fusion
One of the most striking advances is the collaboration between Quantinuum, Rolls-Royce, Riverlane, and the University of Edinburgh. The goal is to use quantum computing to simulate fluid dynamics in gas turbines , a process that requires enormous computing power. According to Leigh Lapworth, a researcher at Rolls-Royce, they have spent five years developing hybrid algorithms that will now be tested on Quantinuum's hardware. This approach not only accelerates the design process but also allows them to explore configurations that were previously unfeasible.
Meanwhile, a team of scientists from Cleveland Clinic, Oak Ridge University, IBM, and the University of Michigan has used a quantum computer to identify molecular configurations of FLiBe, a key molten salt for producing tritium in nuclear fusion reactors. Quantum computing has allowed them to discard less promising options and focus their efforts on the nine most viable configurations, saving time and money and bringing fusion closer to reality.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has also made a move. The company has expanded its research agreements with eight companies, including Intel, IQM, Quantinuum, Rigetti, and Riverlane, to integrate high-performance systems and quantum computing. The goal is to create hybrid platforms that accelerate the transition from research to real-world applications , according to Trish Damkroger, HPE's vice president. Several of these partners are European, further strengthening the continent's ecosystem.
Cybersecurity: the race against 'Q-Day'
The threat of a quantum computer breaking current encryption systems is no longer theoretical. The so-called 'Q-Day' could arrive before 2030 , according to estimates from IBM and Google, and experts warn of the risk of 'harvest now, decrypt later' attacks, where data is stolen today to be decrypted in the future. A study by the Global Risk Institute assigns a 50% probability to the emergence of a machine capable of breaking RSA in less than a day within the next decade, analyzing the threats and opportunities of quantum computing.
In Spain, Indra has taken a significant step forward with the upgrade of its COMSec system, which now incorporates post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The National Cryptologic Center (CCN) has certified this solution as suitable for use in systems under the National Security Scheme at a high level, making it the only one of its kind in Spain with quantum-resistant capabilities. Francisco Jiménez, Director of Secure Communications Systems at Indra, emphasizes that the company is reinforcing its leadership through advancements in the national quantum communications network , while also collaborating on the European EuroQCI network.
The migration to post-quantum cryptography is not simple. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has already published standards such as FIPS 203, 204, and 205, and the White House has mandated that federal systems adopt post-quantum protection by 2030. In Europe, the European Commission's quantum strategy and the Spanish roadmap are leading the way, but the challenge lies in upgrading legacy systems and coordinating all stakeholders.
Error correction and the path to fault tolerance
For quantum computing to be reliable, the problem of errors must be solved. A study by Google Quantum AI, published in Nature, demonstrates that an artificial intelligence system can recalibrate a quantum computer while it is running , using the error signals themselves for learning. The experiment, performed on the Willow processor, achieved a 3,5-fold improvement in logical stability and an additional 20% reduction in the error rate. This advancement allows for long calculations to be performed without interruption, which is essential for industrial applications.
Riverlane, one of the partners in the Rolls-Royce project, specializes precisely in quantum error correction. Its CEO, Steve Brierley, points out that error correction is the key technology for achieving large-scale fault tolerance. Combining these advances with classical supercomputing, such as that offered by EPCC in Edinburgh, is paving the way for 'teraQuOp' systems, capable of performing a trillion error-free operations and optimizing quantum processors and their real-world impact.
Quantum computing will not replace classical computers, but rather act as an accelerator for very specific problems. Europe, with initiatives such as the EuroQCI network, Indra's projects, and industrial collaborations in the UK , is demonstrating that it does not want to be left behind. The question is no longer whether the technology will arrive, but whether companies and governments will be prepared when it does. The competitive advantage will belong to those who start preparing now, developing talent and testing hybrid applications that combine the best of both worlds.
