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The SAS Computing Centre is launching the new national supercomputer PERUN into production. This marks a significant milestone in Slovakia's digital infrastructure, enabling universities, research institutions, and companies to access state-of-the-art high-performance computing technology for research and innovation. In addition to standard applications, the new system is particularly well-suited for the development and testing of artificial intelligence models and tools.

The project was financed by the European Union (EU) through the Slovak Republic's Recovery and Resilience Plan. A total of €20.9 million was allocated to the Technical University of Košice and €36.3 million to the Slovak Academy of Sciences, representing an overall investment of approximately €57 million. This constitutes a key step in strengthening national high-performance computing (HPC) capacities. The new infrastructure consists of two computing systems with a combined performance exceeding 25 petaFLOPs, while also maintaining high energy efficiency. PERUN builds on the existing HPC system Devana, which has long served as the backbone of Slovakia's computing infrastructure.

The project has now been completed, and the supercomputer is operational. The official commissioning ceremony of the PERUN supercomputer will take place in April 2026.

"MIRRI, as the project coordinator, is proud that the PERUN supercomputer has been successfully launched into operation. Although at times its completion appeared very challenging, the joint effort of all partners demonstrated that, with determination, solutions can be found. Thanks in part to funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, we are building infrastructure that forms the foundation of a modern digital economy. PERUN is clear evidence that digitalisation is one of our genuine priorities and that Slovakia is capable of delivering strategic projects with high added value for science, research, and innovation," said Samuel Migal, Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation.

"With the launch of the PERUN supercomputer, Slovakia joins countries equipped with modern computing infrastructure capable of supporting both cutting-edge research and applied development. This represents a strategic investment in the future of our science and innovation," emphasised Martin Venhart, President of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

"The national PERUN supercomputer, with facilities in Košice and now also in Bratislava, is another important project made possible through EU support. It will enable the efficient processing of large-scale data, support the digital transformation of research

institutions and companies, and provide the infrastructure needed to develop new digital services and technologies. The project will thus directly contribute to strengthening Slovakia's competitiveness," stated Peter Stano, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia.

The PERUN supercomputer will serve a wide range of users across diverse research fields, from materials science, drug development, and climatology to chemical simulations and multiphysics modelling. Its architecture also supports large-scale data processing and the training of advanced AI models. Computing capacity will be available through open calls for research projects and through contractual cooperation with private companies.

"The PERUN project is a significant step for the Centre of Joint Activities of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in building Slovakia's modern digital infrastructure. At the same time, it demonstrates that EU funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan can be used effectively and responsibly for projects with long-term benefits for science, research, and society as a whole," added Nikola Kovaničová, Director General of the Centre of Operations of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

The project implementation included not only the delivery of the computing system and a modular data centre, but also the comprehensive preparation of the installation site. This encompassed full operational setup, system integration, and preparation of the user environment.

"The PERUN project includes not only powerful computing infrastructure, but also the implementation of interactive elements that bring the supercomputer closer to students and the wider public. The goal is to make high-performance computing more accessible and to inspire a new generation of users," explained project manager Martina Škárová.

The PERUN supercomputer also plays a role within the broader European HPC ecosystem. It serves as a national entry point to European initiatives and supports programmes such as the EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna and EuroCC 3. Through these activities, it contributes to strengthening Europe's capabilities in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, improving access to advanced computing resources, and fostering cross-border collaboration.

By launching the PERUN supercomputer into production, Slovakia contributes to fulfilling European strategic priorities in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, strengthens Europe's digital sovereignty, and creates favourable conditions for cutting-edge research, innovation, and a competitive economy. The project has been completed, with the ceremonial commissioning of the PERUN supercomputer scheduled for the end of April 2026.

Compiled by: Nataša Dojčáková, Centre of Operations of the Slovak Academy of Sciences