VTB Embraces Domestic Technology: 50,000 Russian Devices Now in Use

VTB has procured 50,000 Russian-made devices, including laptops, tablets, phones, and smartphones. The suppliers for this initiative are Yadro (under the Kvadra brand), Rikord, and Akvarius. Deliveries are scheduled between 2023 and 2024, with a portion of the equipment expected to arrive in 2025. This information was shared with the publication «Vedomosti» by Sergey Bezboga, the deputy head of VTB’s technical division.

From Yadro, the bank has purchased 5,500 tablets, with an additional 13,000 expected in 2025. Rikord has supplied VTB with 6,000 laptops, with another 10,000 projected to arrive by the end of 2025. Moreover, Akvarius has already delivered 12,000 tablets to the financial institution.

Since 2023, VTB has committed to acquiring only Russian technology, replacing imports as they become outdated. Currently, Russian laptops and tablets account for over 30% of all devices within the bank, while stationary phones, modems, and communication modules make up 20%.

Dmitry Cherkasov, CEO of Yadro Client Systems, confirmed these deliveries and noted that Kvadra devices are well-suited for corporate use. Furthermore, the engineers from both Yadro and VTB are working together to adapt banking applications for tablets and the kvadraOS platform.

Maxim Ostrovanov, Commercial Director of Rikord, stated that the equipment is utilized for internal systems management, reporting, and video communication. For the bank, security is paramount, and the domestic origin of these devices ensures that.

A representative from Akvarius mentioned that the tablets have been customized to meet employee needs, with settings configured upon the bank’s request.

The contract amounts haven’t been disclosed, but experts estimate the total procurement value at 3 billion rubles. According to Denis Kuskov, CEO of Telecom Daily, and Mikhail Burmistrov, head of Infoline Analytics, this figure is reasonable considering discounts and device modifications. Data Insight analyst Fyodor Virin adds that the cost aligns with the volume and specific requirements.

Content Review expert Sergey Polovnikov believes that Russian manufacturers’ devices are on par with foreign ones. This initiative is seen as more than just formal import substitution; it represents an upgrade of technology.

In 2022, VTB transitioned to the Russian office software «Moyofis,» purchasing 100,000 licenses for 1.2 billion rubles. In 2024, VTB announced the acquisition of the Astra Linux operating system.

The tablets are utilized in branches and for fieldwork, with foreign devices replaced as they become outdated. Polovnikov asserts that Russian equipment today is well-equipped to replace foreign alternatives.

Besides VTB, Sberbank is also shifting towards domestic technology. In 2024, it trialed 50,000 laptops and tablets under its brand, with deliveries starting in 2022. An additional 22,500 laptops and 18,000 tablets were imported in 2023.