Athens, Greece – February 5, 2026
The race to protect Europe’s most sensitive data and critical infrastructures has officially entered a new phase. On January 29–30, 2026, experts from 22 partner organisations gathered in Athens to partake in the launch of ORQESTRA, a 36-month research project that will run from December 2025 to November 2028, dedicated to building the “quantum-proof” defences of tomorrow. Funded by the European Defence Fund, ORQESTRA (Grant Agreement No. 101224573) moves beyond theoretical mathematics to solve a very real challenge: ensuring that the defence systems and communication networks remain secure and unbreakable in a rapidly changing landscape.
ORQESTRA focuses on providing practical, formally verified, and high-performance implementations of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). By developing a suite of programmable software optimisations and shared hardware accelerators, the project ensures that quantum-safe security is not only mathematically sound but also cost-effective and efficient across land, maritime, and air domains. This approach allows for the seamless integration of PQC capabilities into both cutting-edge communication networks and existing defense infrastructures.
UBITECH coordinates the project, ensuring that all technical and operational efforts align with the robust requirements of the defense sector. The project’s first goal is to define a framework architecture that will ensure the integration of PQC and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technologies to create a “security shield” for critical communications. To achieve this, ORQESTRA will strive to develop advanced cryptographic optimisations, ensuring they meet the strictest cybersecurity standards and remain resilient against the future threat of quantum computing.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. John Avramidis, Project Coordinator at UBITECH, stated:
“ORQESTRA is a good example of how European innovation can strengthen its digital sovereignty and, overall, protect its communities from external threats. As we see the quantum era fast approaching, we want to move Post-Quantum Cryptography from chalkboards in lecture halls to field-ready applications, ensuring that our defence communications networks, whether in the air, on the ground or at sea, remain secure and protected from emerging threats. Therefore, our aim is to provide practical, efficient and high-performance solutions that EU defence forces can easily use to transition to quantum-safe levels of security.”
ORQESTRA in the EU PQC Context
ORQESTRA is also in full alignment with the broader EU PQC Context, since EU Member States are now moving toward a synchronised adoption of quantum-resistant standards, in accordance with the European Commission’s April 2024 Recommendation on a Coordinated Implementation Roadmap for the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). With high-risk sectors like defense targeted for transition by 2030, ORQESTRA serves as an enabler of this goal, directly advancing the development of certifiable, quantum-safe communication systems.
About the Coordinator
UBITECH is a leading, highly innovative software house, systems integrator and technology provider, established in Athens, Greece back in 2005, to provide leading edge intelligent technical solutions and consulting services to businesses, organisations and government in order to allow the efficient and effective secure access and communication with various heterogeneous information resources and services, anytime and anywhere.
Media Contact
For any further clarifications or additional information, please contact Ms. Artemis Psarianou, Head of Marketing & Communications at GRNET and Lead on Dissemination and Communication activities of ORQESTRA Project.
Email: marcomms@admin.grnet.gr
Useful Links
ORQESTRA Fact Sheet
Disclaimer
Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
