Technology on foreign processors was offered to be recognized as Russian

Authorities and state-owned companies may be allowed to purchase data storage systems, servers, computers, laptops and other equipment on foreign processors. Izvestia got acquainted with the relevant amendments to the government decree defining the criteria for domestic products that can be purchased during state purchases.

According to the current legislation governing the process of import substitution of radio electronics, from January 1, 2021, government agencies, state-owned companies and cellular operators must purchase data storage systems based on Russian processors. Permitted equipment is listed in a special register maintained by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. From July 1, laptop computers, which are purchased by state-owned companies, should also be domestically produced. From January 1, 2022, import substitution rules apply to servers, desktops, printers, motherboards and other equipment.

The criteria by which officials classify equipment as domestic are spelled out in government decree No. 719 “On Confirmation of Industrial Production in the Territory of the Russian Federation.” At the end of November, several Russian developers received draft amendments to this document. The letter, which Izvestia got acquainted with, was sent by the Mytishchi Research Institute of Radio Measuring Instruments (MNIIRIP) subordinate to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The amendments suggest that equipment based on foreign processors such as Intel and IBM will be able to enter the register of domestic equipment. It turns out that if changes to the resolution are adopted, such equipment will be able to qualify for participation in public procurement. And also on preferences that are received by manufacturers and developers of equipment on Russian processors: quotas and state support.

“Suspicious chip: they want to recognize equipment on foreign processors as Russian”