Uzbekistan to boost railway fleet with major train purchases from China and South Korea
Uzbekistan is preparing a large-scale expansion of its locomotive and passenger train fleet, with major purchases planned from China and South Korea as part of a broader programme to modernize the country’s railway infrastructure, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.
High-speed Hyundai Rotem trains are set to begin arriving in December and will operate on the “Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva” route starting in 2026.
The plans were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 13 November during a briefing on the development of Uzbekistan’s railway infrastructure.
Under the modernization programme, Uzbekistan intends to purchase 38 mainline locomotives and 50 shunting and hybrid shunting diesel locomotives from China. In May, the president instructed Uzbekistan Railways to sign a contract with China’s CRRC for the supply of 50 diesel locomotives. According to company chairman Zufar Narzullaev, 91 percent of the current locomotive fleet is outdated, making fleet renewal a priority.
Uzbekistan has also ordered six high-speed electric trains from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem. Transport Minister Ilhom Mahkamov said in an interview with a national TV channel that deliveries will begin in December.
The first train is expected to begin operating next year on the “Tashkent - Urgench - Khiva” route, cutting travel time from 14 hours to 7.5 hours. The seven-car train will accommodate 351 passengers and reach speeds of up to 250 km/h.
According to Mahkamov, 23 electric commuter trains will be purchased for routes connecting Tashkent with its surrounding agglomeration. Uzbekistan also plans to acquire new South Korean-built trains designed for mountainous terrain, particularly for lines crossing the Kamchik Pass and the Darband mountain corridor linking Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions.
To increase service quality and line capacity, the government plans to:
• build 250 modern passenger cars,
• purchase 23 intercity electric trains,
• build 10,000 freight wagons,
• refurbish more than 6,000 wagons,
• carry out major repairs on 12 electric locomotives.
Uzbekistan Railways chairman Zufar Narzullaev announced that, with support from the Renewal and Development Fund and additional financing, the annual production of passenger coaches will be increased from 40 to 50 units.
The sector aims to double annual passenger volumes from 10 million to 20 million by 2030, which will require the introduction of 23 additional electric trains.
Narzullaev added that six high-speed trains will be delivered in 2026, with another eight arriving by 2030. These trains will serve the “Tashkent - Termez” and “Tashkent - Andijan” routes, including mountainous sections that require high-speed rolling stock.
In August 2024, the president approved the technical and economic parameters for purchasing six Hyundai Rotem high-speed trains. The project is valued at EUR 220.03 million. Under the agreement, Uzbekistan will allocate EUR 21.3 million, Uzbekistan Railways will contribute EUR 13.5 million and Korea Eximbank will provide a loan equivalent to EUR 185.18 million in Korean won, with a 10-year grace period and a 40-year repayment term.
By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to build 151 km of new railway lines, electrify 182 km of existing tracks and modernize 27 stations and 100 km of railway lines. Authorities have also proposed opening 15 new intercity routes to strengthen regional connectivity.
