Hyundai Rotem wins bullet-train export deal from Uzbekistan

For the first time, a Korean high-speed rail vehicle will be deployed internationally, with Uzbekistan as the destination. Hyundai Rotem announced on Friday that it has secured a 270 billion won ($194 million) contract to supply and maintain power-distributed high-speed trains for Uzbek Railways, in collaboration with the Korea Railroad Corporation. Hyundai Rotem, known for pioneering Korea’s first high-speed rail system, the Korea Train Express, in 2004, continues to lead in rail transport innovation.

The new high-speed trains, similar to Korea's six-carriage KTX-Eum (EMU-260), will operate at speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour. Each train set will consist of seven carriages, providing a total of 389 seats. This deal marks the introduction of power-distributed trains in Uzbekistan, a significant upgrade from power-centralized trains that rely on a single locomotive. Power-distributed trains have power units spread across all carriages, enhancing acceleration, deceleration, and cabin space. Currently, over 70 percent of the world's high-speed trains utilize this efficient system.

Hyundai Rotem will customize these trains to meet Uzbekistan's specific railway conditions. Unlike the 1,435mm standard gauge used in Korea, Uzbekistan's tracks are 1,520mm wide, requiring the trains to be fitted with wider bogies and power units adapted to local electricity standards. Additionally, the trains will include stairs to match Uzbekistan's platform height of 200 millimeters. These high-speed trains will service routes totaling 1,216 kilometers, connecting the capital, Tashkent, with Bukhara over 590 kilometers, and extending to new routes from Bukhara to Hiva (430 kilometers) and from Misken to Nukus (196 kilometers).

This contract signifies the global debut of Korean high-speed rail technology. Korea has invested over 30 years and more than 2.7 trillion won in the research, development, and refinement of high-speed rail technology, aiming for global export. The successful deployment of these trains in Uzbekistan represents a major milestone in Korea’s efforts to expand its high-speed rail technology worldwide.