On February 15, 2022, the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (MAFAT) announced an allocation of NIS 200 million (~USD 62 million) to build Israel’s first quantum computer. The announcement was reported by The Times of Israel.
According to the joint announcement, the budget funded two parallel tracks. The IIA focused on developing quantum computational infrastructure, including direct computation and cloud access capabilities. MAFAT was tasked with establishing a national center with quantum capabilities to develop a quantum processor and a complete quantum computer in partnership with academia, industry, and government.
IIA CEO Dror Bin said quantum computing was “a technology Israeli industry cannot ignore.” Dr. Danny Gold, head of MAFAT, called the initiative “a significant step towards achieving Israeli independence in this area.”