Rigetti & C-DAC Expand Partnership with $8.4 million purchase order for a 108-qubit quantum computer
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Rigetti Computing India, a subsidiary of Rigetti Computing, Inc., has secured an $8.4 million purchase order to deliver a 108-qubit quantum computer to the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in India. The system, utilizing Rigetti’s chiplet-based architecture, will be installed at C-DAC’s Bengaluru center and deployed in the second half of 2026, marking a significant step in India’s quantum computing capabilities. “We are honored that C-DAC has recognized the value of Rigetti’s quantum computing technology and expertise by selecting our system,” says Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. This order expands on an existing partnership and underscores a growing global trend of national governments prioritizing on-premises quantum computing resources for research and development. Rigetti Secures $8.4M Order for 108-Qubit Quantum Computer This isn’t merely a hardware sale; it represents a commitment to integrating quantum capabilities directly into an existing supercomputing environment, a move poised to accelerate research and development in the field. Rigetti’s system utilizes a proprietary chiplet-based architecture, a design choice crucial for scaling to the high qubit counts necessary for achieving error correction and, ultimately, fault-tolerant quantum computation. The system’s installation at C-DAC marks the first quantum computer to be integrated into their supercomputing data center, highlighting a growing trend of national governments prioritizing investment in quantum technologies. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. This order builds upon an existing memorandum of understanding signed in September 2025, where Rigetti and C-DAC agreed to co-develop hybrid quantum computing systems. Rigetti’s quantum computers leverage superconducting qubits, a technology the company believes offers a clear path to scalability and fast gate speeds—currently achieving speeds of 50-70ns, roughly 1,000 times faster than alternative modalities like ion traps. The company manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, described as the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Dr. Kulkarni further emphasizes that “This highlights the growing demand for on-premises quantum computers as national governments prioritize quantum computing, and Rigetti’s leadership in delivering state-of-the-art quantum computing systems for the world’s leading researchers.” This deal underscores a shift towards localized quantum infrastructure, empowering researchers with direct access to cutting-edge computational resources. C-DAC & Rigetti Advance Hybrid Quantum Computing Collaboration The convergence of classical and quantum computing is rapidly accelerating, with national research institutions increasingly investing in hybrid systems to unlock new computational capabilities. Currently, organizations like C-DAC in India are actively seeking to integrate quantum processors into existing supercomputing infrastructure, recognizing the limitations of purely classical approaches for certain complex problems. This push for hybridity isn’t merely theoretical; it’s manifesting in substantial purchase orders and collaborative research initiatives designed to bridge the gap between established high-performance computing and the nascent field of quantum information science. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. This deployment signifies a growing trend of on-premises quantum computer acquisition as governments prioritize quantum development. This order extends a pre-existing partnership, formalized in September 2025 with a memorandum of understanding focused on co-developing hybrid quantum computing systems. C-DAC’s broader mission involves strengthening India’s technological capabilities and addressing national challenges through ICTE applications, including quantum technologies like quantum accelerators and a national quantum computing reference facility. Dr. We are honored that C-DAC has recognized the value of Rigetti’s quantum computing technology and expertise by selecting our system for the first quantum computer to be installed and integrated into their supercomputing data center and systems.Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO Superconducting Qubits & Rigetti’s Chiplet-Based Architecture Unlike monolithic designs, this architecture assembles quantum processors from smaller, interconnected “chiplets,” offering a pathway to building increasingly complex and powerful systems. Rigetti’s success in deploying the industry’s largest multi-chip quantum computer in 2025, based on four 9-qubit chiplets tiled together, demonstrates the viability of this approach. The company’s focus on superconducting qubits is also noteworthy, as these are considered a leading qubit modality due to their maturity, scalability, and speed. This speed is crucial for performing complex quantum calculations efficiently. Dr. Rigetti’s Quantum Cloud Services & System Performance Metrics This deployment underscores a broader trend of organizations prioritizing on-premises quantum access to maintain control over sensitive data and tailor systems to specific research needs. The company’s commitment to full-stack quantum-classical computing is further evidenced by its performance metrics, notably gate speeds of 50-70ns—approximately 1,000 times faster than competing technologies like ion traps. This speed advantage, combined with systems ranging from 9 to 180 qubits, positions Rigetti to support a diverse range of quantum computing applications. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. Beyond hardware, Rigetti facilitates access to its quantum computers through Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services (QCS), providing a platform for global clients to engage in quantum research and development. This cloud-based approach, coupled with proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure, aims to bridge the gap between theoretical potential and practical application. Dr. Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/01/20/3221654/0/en/Rigetti-Announces-Order-for-a-108-Qubit-Quantum-Computer-from-India-s-Centre-for-Development-of-Advanced-Computing-C-DAC.html Tags: