Alstom, a global name in sustainable and advanced mobility, has finalized an agreement with Ukrainian Railways for the supply of 55 Traxx electric locomotives. The project will be largely funded through a €300 million facility from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and a $190 million contribution from the World Bank.
Production and engineering work for the locomotives will take place at Alstom’s Belfort facility in France, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The overall contract includes training for drivers and maintenance teams, along with the provision of spare parts.
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom’s Chief Executive Officer, said the partnership marks a major step in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to modernise its rail network. He noted that the locomotives are being developed to match local operating conditions and to ensure efficiency, reliability, and strong performance. “We are honoured to support Ukraine’s long-term resilience and economic revival through forward-looking transport solutions,” he added.
Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of Ukrainian Railways, highlighted that the deal addresses the longstanding challenge of an ageing locomotive fleet, which currently averages 46 years. He emphasized that the order strengthens the country’s logistics backbone and reflects growing confidence from international institutions such as the World Bank’s URTF Fund and the EBRD. “This is a vital investment in our rail system’s future,” he said.
As part of the Ukraine Business Compact, Alstom continues to back Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic renewal through cooperation, knowledge exchange, and dedicated business initiatives. The Traxx units on order will feature a twin Bo-Bo layout with four powered bogies, each axle driven by its own traction motor. Designed for dual-voltage operation (3kV DC and 25kV AC), the locomotives will deliver between 7.2 MW and 9.4 MW of power and achieve speeds up to 120 km/h. Their design ensures heightened energy efficiency and operational reliability, enabling them to haul heavier freight loads compared to current alternatives. Each locomotive will also incorporate Ukrainian-built safety and communication systems.
Alstom has operated in Ukraine since 2012, beginning with the establishment of an engineering centre in Kharkiv dedicated to modern railway traffic control technologies. The company expanded in 2018 with an office in Kyiv to support rolling stock development for both domestic and international markets. Since then, Alstom teams in Ukraine have contributed to projects such as the upgrade of the Krasnohrad–Lozova line and the deployment of signalling and traffic management systems in multiple countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and Sweden.
The Traxx range is among the most versatile locomotive families available today, serving freight, passenger, hybrid, and shunting applications across varied climatic and regulatory environments. Known for low operating costs and high uptime, the locomotives integrate features such as extended maintenance cycles, service-friendly design, and predictive maintenance options.
Several models can also be fitted with hybrid modules, including last-mile capability for greater operational flexibility. With over 175 years of locomotive manufacturing heritage and more than 6,000 locomotives delivered since 2000, Alstom continues to be one of the leading names in global rail traction technology.
