In 2024, the rollout plan includes tablet computers that will run a domestic operating system developed in Russia, with the first batch slated for medical professionals and educators. This initiative emerged from statements given on a Russian television program, where the Minister of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, discussed the project with viewers on Rossiya-24. The announcement marked a significant moment in the broader push to expand the country’s own software and hardware ecosystem, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign platforms and tighten the alignment between government IT policy and classroom and clinic needs.
The minister explained that funding for the program is under active discussion, with attention focused on early pilot tablets to evaluate performance, compatibility, and user experience. According to his remarks, a preliminary pilot could be conducted in the near term, after which a broader replication plan would be considered. The steps outlined show a careful, staged approach designed to test the new Russian operating system on actual hardware before scaling up production and distribution. This cautious path reflects an emphasis on ensuring reliability, security, and ease of deployment across educational and health institutions, where technology must support instruction and patient care rather than complicate it.
Details regarding the volume of the initial batch were not disclosed, signaling that planners are prioritizing feasibility and practical deployment rather than mass marketing at the outset. The focus remains on validating the system’s capabilities in real-world environments, gathering feedback from teachers and medical staff, and refining software integration with existing institutional workflows. The aim is to establish a dependable supply chain that can sustain subsequent orders and minimize disruption to daily operations in schools and clinics as the program expands.
Shadayev noted that the most effective way to grow Russian tablet production is through large-scale government orders. He acknowledged that the domestic microelectronics sector faces persistent challenges and that tablet hardware remains an area where national producers are competing with foreign suppliers that often offer broader price competition and mature supply networks. This admission aligns with a broader national strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, promote local suppliers, and encourage research and development within Russia’s tech sector. The speech underscored the government’s intent to cultivate a more self-reliant technology landscape while recognizing the competitive pressures from international markets and the need to balance price, performance, and security in public-sector procurement.
Earlier communications from the Ministry of Digital Development highlighted ongoing efforts to increase the share of domestically produced information technology goods. This broader initiative is seen as part of a long-term plan to expand local industrial capacity, stimulate innovation, and improve the resilience of critical digital infrastructure. While progress has been incremental, analysts and industry observers note that sustained government support, targeted investment, and collaboration with universities and research centers are essential to building a robust, homegrown ecosystem that can meet the evolving needs of public institutions and private sector partners alike.