On a morning in December 2020, four Chinese made electric locomotives painted in blue crossed over 6400 kilometers and slowly entered Tashkent Central Station. The local brass instruments, Kanai, resounded in low tones, welcoming the new members who had come from afar. At that time, few people thought that six years later, in this city, a new cooperation document would bind Chinese partners more tightly with Uzbekistan's railways and subways.

Three parties sign a memorandum of understanding

October 14, 2026, Tashkent. The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, the state-owned railway company Uzbekistan Railway Company, and CRRC Dalian jointly signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in the fields of railway transportation and subway development.

According to the statement released by the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, this document lays the foundation for future cooperation among the three parties. The statement did not disclose the specific procurement quantity, project schedule, investment amount, and the type of locomotives and vehicles to be supplied.

The subway is experiencing a wave of train changes

The focus of the memorandum is quite practical: to support the modernization of Uzbekistan's railway and subway system through the procurement of modern locomotives and vehicles, the introduction of advanced technology, and cooperation in manufacturing and technical maintenance. The three parties also agreed to conduct experience exchange and implement prospect joint projects, explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the production and service of railway and subway equipment, and introduce modern solutions to improve transportation infrastructure.

The demand is genuine. The Tashkent Metro currently has four lines with a total operating mileage of approximately 70.8 kilometers and a total of 50 stations. The daily passenger flow exceeds 800000, and the daily passenger flow record has exceeded 1.2 million. The pressure of vehicle updates comes with it. The procurement plan previously approved by the Tashkent City Council plans to introduce a total of 70 five car subway trains, with 7 international manufacturers shortlisted for evaluation. CRRC's plan was listed as one of the preferred options. Fleet expansion and upgrading are moving from paper to visible orders.

Old friend's new chess game

CRRC Dalian and Uzbekistan are not shaking hands for the first time. This Chinese state-owned manufacturing enterprise, established in 1899, focuses on diesel and electric locomotives, diesel engines, and urban rail transit vehicles, while providing locomotive repair and maintenance services. Since expanding into the Uzbekistan rail transit market in 2008, the company signed its first electric locomotive procurement contract with Uzbekistan in 2011; In 2013, the first batch of high-power AC drive electric locomotives were exported to the country, achieving China's first entry into the international market for high-power AC drive electric locomotives; Signed the second batch of export contracts for 11 electric locomotives in 2014; The third batch of 30 electric locomotives will be delivered by 2022.

The bigger plate is still at the back. The Ukrainian side plans to at least double the passenger and freight volume from 2026 to 2030. To this end, 151 kilometers of railway will be built, 182 kilometers of railway will be electrified, 27 stations and 1000 kilometers of railway will be renovated, and the construction of the 102 kilometer Navoi Bukhara high-speed railway will be accelerated. On the vehicle side, the Ukrainian side plans to purchase 38 mainline locomotives and 50 shunting locomotives from China. CRRC Dalian has previously signed a contract with the Ukrainian side for 50 shunting locomotives.

Outside of Central Asia, CRRC Dalian's overseas territory is still expanding: it has signed a contract with Kazakhstan for 200 mainline diesel locomotives and 270 shunting locomotives, and the first batch of 100 mainline diesel locomotives has been delivered; The product has been exported to over 30 countries and regions. According to the company's plan, overseas business will become the first growth pole during the 15th Five Year Plan period.keywords:Engineering infrastructure

From a locomotive entering Tashkent to a memorandum covering both railway and subway, manufacturing and maintenance, the cooperation between China and Ukraine in rail transit is shifting from selling equipment to manufacturing and maintaining equipment. For Uzbekistan, this is an update in transportation capacity; For Chinese manufacturing, this is a long journey from the heartland of the Eurasian continent to further markets.Editor/Yang Meiling