From Code to Control Panels: Russia Moves Away From Foreign Industrial Automation
Russia’s embedded operating system Astra Linux Embedded is taking control of industrial automation, marking a decisive shift away from foreign software at the factory floor level.
Factories Say Goodbye to Windows
The signing of a licensing agreement between Astra Group, a leading Russian developer of infrastructure software, and AVADS HARD, a company specializing in industrial automation hardware, marks a significant milestone in the development of domestic solutions for industrial control systems. Under the partnership, a new line of Russian-made AVADS ASP industrial panel PCs and AVADS AVK controllers has been brought to market, all running on the embedded version of the Astra Linux Embedded operating system.
Building a “Digital Bunker” for Industry
The new hardware platforms are designed for deployment at critical information infrastructure facilities, where cybersecurity and operational reliability are top priorities. Astra Linux Embedded provides layered protection through mandatory integrity control, a closed software environment with digitally signed executables, and flexible management of connected USB devices. Together, these mechanisms are intended to counter unauthorized access, malware insertion, and privilege escalation – among the most serious threats facing industrial cybersecurity today.
The architectural foundation of the solution is also notable. The devices are built on 64-bit ARM processors that combine energy efficiency with strong computing and graphics performance. Full hardware graphics support within Astra Linux Embedded enables smooth visualization of industrial processes, a capability that is critical for control room operators whose decisions depend on real-time accuracy and responsiveness.
Shaping the IT Infrastructure of the Future
Astra Linux has already established itself as a core platform across Russia’s public sector, including deployments at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and other security-focused agencies with stringent information protection requirements. Astra Group is expanding beyond industrial use cases into enterprise solutions as well, including Astra XPlatform software-hardware systems for data centers and AI workloads.
Parallel efforts are underway in education, where Astra Linux is being introduced into university IT laboratories in partnership with ICL Techno to train the next generation of specialists. Cooperation with ATOL in the financial sector is also advancing, while continued investment in Astra Group is supporting the expansion of Astra Cloud services built on Russian hardware.
AVADS products are positioned for a wide range of industries, from oil and gas and power generation to transport infrastructure – sectors where security, reliability, and localization have become strategic priorities. The equipment is already being deployed at gas processing facilities, power grid complexes, and other elements of critical infrastructure.
Completing the Localization Cycle
Until recently, a large share of operator panels on the Russian market relied on foreign operating systems. The joint solution from AVADS HARD and Astra Group offers a domestically developed alternative with certified security assurances.
The impact of this partnership extends beyond a single market segment. For Russia’s IT industry, it reinforces the shift toward fully localized hardware-software platforms. For industrial operators, it reduces dependence on foreign operating system vendors and hardware suppliers. At a national level, the project strengthens technological sovereignty in industrial automation.
Laying the Foundation for a Resilient Industrial Ecosystem
The project’s development outlook appears strong. In the coming years, the product lineup is expected to expand with the integration of Russian processors such as Baikal and Elbrus, further increasing technological autonomy. Deeper integration with domestic SCADA and MES systems, as well as digital twin platforms, is also planned.
The AVADS ASP and AVADS AVK product line built on Astra Linux Embedded represents a systemic step toward sustainable industrial automation development in Russia.
