Uzbekistan plans to purchase two trains from the Swiss company Stadler, minister of transport Ilhom Mahkamov said speaking at the Senate on 30 September.
The minister stated that the new trains will be tested on Uzbekistan’s railways, after which a decision will be made regarding the potential purchase of additional trains.
The minister met the Stadler Rail’s chairman for CIS countries Alexander Luft to discuss cooperation on 13 September.
Among other things, they discussed purchase of electric trains, training specialists in train maintenance and possible localization of train production in Uzbekistan.
During the talks, the sides agreed to examine Stadler’s capabilities, considering the needs of Uzbekistan’s passenger railway network and the company’s pricing policy.
Back in 2019, Stadler also held talks with O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari, Uzbekistan’s state-owned railway company, regarding production of passenger coaches in the country and their export to Central Asian markets.
In 2022, the company participated in O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari’s tender for the purchase of 34 electric trains.
In addition to the potential deal with Stadler, Uzbekistan is acquiring six high-speed trains from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem and plans to buy 30 electric trains from the Czech Republic’s Skoda. These purchases will be financed by loans totaling €535 million, backed by state guarantees.
