Hyundai Rotem dispatches First High-Speed Train Set to Uzbekistan

Uiwang, South Korea (Metro Rail Today): South Korean rolling stock manufacturer Hyundai Rotem has officially dispatched the first batch of high-speed trains to Uzbekistan, marking a major milestone in the Central Asian nation’s railway modernisation drive. The announcement was made by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport following an official ceremony held at Masan Port in Changwon, South Korea.

The ceremony was attended by a high-level Uzbek delegation including Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriyev, and Uzbekistan Railways Chairman Zufar Narzullaev, as well as senior officials from the South Korean government and Hyundai Rotem.

The first high-speed train, christened “Jaloliddin Manguberdi,” has been manufactured under a contract signed between Hyundai Rotem and Uzbekistan Railways in June 2024. The fleet is designed to significantly enhance long-distance high-speed travel in Uzbekistan as the country expands its strategic rail corridors.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the new high-speed train sets will operate on the Bukhara–Miskin–Urgench–Nukus route, with the first service on the Tashkent–Khiva corridor expected to start in 2026.

Once operational, the travel time on this route will be drastically reduced from approximately 14 hours to 7.5 hours, enabling faster passenger connectivity across key economic regions of the country.

Uzbekistan Plans to Expand High-Speed Fleet to 2030

Uzbekistan Railways has outlined an ambitious plan to procure eight additional high-speed electric trains by 2030. These trains are planned to service the Tashkent–Termez and Tashkent–Andijan routes, including stretches that pass through mountainous terrain, highlighting Uzbekistan’s intention to modernise its network across challenging geographies.

Negotiations with Hyundai Rotem began back in 2018, but the procurement plan became public only in late 2023. The total cost of the supply is estimated at €185 million, with a repayment period spanning 35 years.

Project Supported Through South Korea’s EDCF Financing

The project is being financed through South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). Final agreements with the EDCF and the Export-Import Bank of Korea were signed during the visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to Uzbekistan in June 2024.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said: “Hyundai Rotem’s dispatch of Uzbekistan’s first high-speed train marks a defining moment in Central Asia’s transport modernisation. As more countries adopt high-speed systems, we see global momentum toward faster, safer, and greener mobility solutions. Uzbekistan’s commitment to modern rail infrastructure reflects the region’s rising strategic importance in global mobility networks.”

In August 2024, Uzbekistan’s President approved the technical and economic justification for the purchase of Hyundai Rotem’s high-speed trainsets, paving the way for the manufacturing process that has now entered the delivery stage.