France 2030: Progress Update Three Years After the Launch of the National Quantum Technologies Strategy and the Launch of the PROQCIMA Program

Insider Brief

• Members of the French quantum ecosystem reviewed the results of the national quantum strategy, three years after its launch by President Emmanuel Macron.
• They also announced the launch of PROQCIMA, which aims to have two prototypes of universal quantum computers of French design by 2030.
• The plan is structured around strategic objectives that include development of quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum cryptographic and quantum communication strategies.

During a day that brought together the quantum ecosystem at the French National Library, Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces, represented by the General Delegate for Armament, Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research, Franck Riester, Minister in charge of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness, Francophonie and French Nationals Abroad, and Marina Ferrari, Secretary of State for Digital Affairs with Bruno Bonnell, General Secretary for Investment, presented on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the concrete results of the national quantum strategy, three years after its launch by President Emmanuel Macron. On this occasion, the launch of the PROQCIMA program was announced. PROQCIMA aims to have two prototypes of universal quantum computers of French design by 2030.

Considering the stakes of economic growth and sovereignty, and following the lead of major world powers like the United States, China, the United Kingdom, or Germany, the President launched, in January 2021, an ambitious national strategy on quantum technologies in France, endowed with cumulative state funding, including France 2030, of about €1 billion over four years, for a total public-private commitment of €1.8 billion.

This strategy is structured around 6 strategic objectives:

• Develop quantum computing technologies and applications
• Master quantum sensor technologies
• Develop and disseminate post-quantum cryptography
• Develop quantum communication technologies
• Master enabling quantum technologies

The ongoing second quantum revolution since the late 20th century will multiply our computing capacities by making calculations that are currently impossible accessible, allow us to perceive our environment with unprecedented precision, and explore new ways of transmitting information. Moreover, these technologies promise to enable precise navigation in locations where the GPS network is not accessible and make MRI machines portable. They will also drastically accelerate medical research and the discovery of new materials with exceptional properties.

Making France a Leader in Quantum Technologies

According to government estimates, quantum startups have raised over €350 million to date, making France the leading European country and the third worldwide behind the United States and Canada in terms of fundraising, and second with Canada in terms of valuation.

French startups are also in second place with Canada in terms of talent attractiveness and are responsible for about 20% of the machines sold or ordered at this stage worldwide, making France one of the leading manufacturers and exporters.

Quantum strategy in numbers:

• Over €1.065 billion in public investments, including France 2030
• More than 80 projects supported
• 350 useful qubits already achieved, 2000 useful qubits within 2 years
• 100-200 logical qubits by the end of the decade
• The first full-stack interconnection system by the end of the decade
• By 2032, at least two quantum computers with 128 logical qubits

Launching the PROQCIMA Program

The Government is launching the PROQCIMA program, inspired by the ULTRA program (launched by the British during World War II) in the era of quantum computing. The goal of this program is to have at least two prototypes of universal quantum computers with 128 logical qubits by 2030, extending to 2048 logical qubits by 2035.

France is one of the few countries worldwide with a solid foundation in upstream research and technology, as well as the industrial capability to seriously explore the feasibility of a Fault Tolerant Quantum Computer (FTQC).

The development program in France for a universal quantum computer faces two major challenges due to the high uncertainties in scientific, technological, and industrial aspects:

• It’s unlikely that all different technological paths will coexist in the long term, and a large number of competitors is probably not economically sustainable in the long run. To maintain a level of public investment that is ambitious yet reasonable given the uncertainties, the PROQCIMA program has been structured as an innovation partnership organizing a competition among different companies with a progressive selection of the most efficient competitors.
• The program is divided into two main phases: an “examination” phase to measure progress, followed by a “competition” phase to keep only the most promising solutions.
• The program starts with five competitors, and by the end of the first phase, this number will be reduced to three. Only the three most efficient actors will continue the program beyond four years.
• At eight years, the competition will be limited to the two most efficient technologies that will continue the program until the end. The General Directorate for Armament, with the General Secretariat for Investment, will be in charge of overseeing the program.