Russian Software and Hardware Join Forces to Protect Critical Infrastructure
The new system eliminates reliance on imported components and is designed to keep industrial facilities and transportation systems running without interruption.
RusBITech-Astra LLC, a subsidiary of Astra Group PJSC, and TEK PRO INDUSTRIES LLC have developed an integrated hardware-software system for industrial applications. The solution combines the Astra Linux Embedded operating system with LAZARUS computers built on the ARM64 architecture. Together, they form fully autonomous control units for the energy sector and railway infrastructure, supporting technological sovereignty and eliminating dependence on imported technologies.
Stability in the Harshest Conditions
Embedded operating systems run on devices with a fixed set of functions, including controllers, security gateways, and data collection terminals. This software must be deeply optimized for the processor and its input/output interfaces. The move to ARM64 is driven by energy-efficiency requirements. LAZARUS computers need no active cooling, a critical advantage in dusty manufacturing facilities and electrical distribution panels. The companies have worked together since 2021, ensuring that systems remain stable under load and eliminating compatibility risks that can arise when customers assemble solutions themselves from unrelated components.
From Transportation to Utilities: One System Serves Multiple Industries
The release of Astra Linux Embedded for LAZARUS addresses demand for compatible hardware-software combinations. The integrated system is already being used for a range of applications. The LAZARUS UVON model collects sensor readings and automates railway sections in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The LAZARUS IC ARM version is designed for smart-building engineering systems.
The LAZARUS IC variant connects railway automation processors and functions as a secure gateway. Clusters based on the same architecture have also been deployed for Gormost, a Moscow government institution responsible for bridge and road infrastructure. Processing signals locally allows the system to respond immediately to anomalies without overloading communication channels. The computing units are being replaced in stages, allowing operators to retain existing peripheral equipment and keep the line running.
The companies plan to continue developing specialized ARM-based solutions equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU) for video analytics and AI-powered automation. Embedding analytics directly in controllers creates new possibilities. Cameras will be able to detect equipment defects without sending video streams to the cloud. This reduces latency and strengthens information security: data remain within the company's network perimeter, sharply reducing the risk of interception associated with transmission over public networks.
Demand for Ready-Made Hardware-Software Systems Is Growing
Government requirements are driving demand for these solutions. Under a Russian government decree, operators of critical information infrastructure must transition to trusted domestic systems by 2030. According to estimates from Rexoft LLC, Russia’s industrial automation market exceeded 200 billion rubles (approximately $2.4 billion) in 2025, growing by 5–7%. About 75% of that market was accounted for by import substitution and support for existing systems and equipment.
This demand profile means vendors must do more than replace imported products: they need to integrate their offerings into infrastructure that is already in operation. Customers cannot tackle that challenge on their own, which is driving interest in ready-made hardware-software systems. That is why the embedded systems segment is developing through partner networks. Earlier announcements covered operating-system adaptations for controllers from Inspark LLC, equipment from AVADS HARD LLC, modules from Indigo Microsystems LLC, and platforms from Macro Group LLC built around the Hypercom-U processor manufactured by JSC ELVIS Research and Development Center.
Markets in Friendly Countries Are Looking to Russian Solutions
The expertise accumulated in Russia is attracting interest beyond its borders. Growing shipments to Belarus and the presence of established infrastructure in Kazakhstan point to demand from neighboring countries for manufacturing upgrades. Success in international markets will depend on vendors' ability to provide post-warranty support and keep the total cost of ownership competitive.
A Closed Technology Loop for Critical Infrastructure
Close collaboration between the operating-system developer and the equipment manufacturer at the design stage makes it possible to build a fully self-contained technology stack, from the hardware components to the system software, without relying on foreign technologies. This helps companies respond more quickly to security requirements for critical infrastructure and supports uninterrupted industrial and transportation operations.
