Uzbekistan Railways to acquire modern Czech trains in $143 million deal

Uzbekistan Railways and the prominent Czech manufacturer Škoda Group have signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the delivery of ten modern electric trains. The deal, valued at over 3 billion koruna – approximately $143 million – was finalized in the presence of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

Photo: Presidential press service

Under the terms of the agreement, Uzbekistan will receive ten next-generation regional electric trains built on the Baltic platform.

Petr Novotný, the head of Škoda Group, emphasized that the project is the culmination of long-term collaboration between the governments of Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic, alongside their respective railway authorities. He noted that Uzbekistan is a dynamically developing country with ambitious plans for the modernization of its transport infrastructure.

The scope of the partnership extends beyond the initial delivery of the rolling stock. A significant component of the project involves the establishment of service facilities directly within Uzbekistan. Škoda Group plans to gradually transfer expert knowledge and technical procedures to local partners, ensuring that maintenance and repair work can eventually be managed independently in the future.

Furthermore, the cooperation includes the creation of a joint venture and the founding of the Škoda Academy. This educational initiative is designed to facilitate a high-level exchange of experience and provide specialized training for local personnel, anchoring the long-term sustainability of the new fleet.