France's Alstom Transport has selected Ukrainian manufacturers to supply components for the 55 dual-voltage UA8AC electric freight locomotives being built for Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) in Belfort, the railway announced on 3 April. Ukrzaliznytsia is a state-owned company that manages rail transport and infrastructure. The move marks a new stage in what UZ calls the largest locomotive procurement in its history, with Ukrainian industry now embedded in the supply chain for the first European-made freight locomotives the country has ever ordered.
How Alstom selected the Ukrainian suppliers
After the locomotive supply contracts were signed, Ukrzaliznytsia provided Alstom Transport with a list of Ukrainian companies with which it already works for locomotive repair and rolling stock maintenance. Alstom's specialists ran their own monitoring and competitive selection from that list to identify which suppliers could participate in the localization of locomotive production.
Ukrainian manufacturers will produce radio stations, locomotive safety systems and fire alarm systems, braking system components, couplings, cab heaters, seats, and sand delivery system parts. Negotiations on wheel production are continuing separately.
UZ highlighted the strategic value of the wheel talks. A locomotive changes its wheel set at least ten times over its lifecycle, meaning a domestic supply arrangement would generate long-term orders well beyond the initial delivery period.
The first body is built — delivery in early 2027
Production of the new locomotives has already started, Ukrzaliznytsia says. The body of the first locomotive has already been completed at Alstom's Belfort plant in France. It is due to arrive in Ukraine in early 2027 for certification and endurance testing. Delivery of the full batch of 55 machines is planned to be completed by May 2029.
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The contract and what makes the locomotives new for Ukraine
Ukrzaliznytsia signed the Alstom contract following an international tender by the World Bank. Six leading rolling stock manufacturers from Europe and Asia participated. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development later joined the financing. The UA8AC locomotives are built on the Traxx Hauler platform and will be the first freight electric locomotives of European manufacture ever operated in Ukraine.
Their dual-voltage capability — operating on both alternating and direct current — makes them more versatile and efficient in operation. Maximum power reaches up to 9,000 kW, top speed is 120 km/h, and starting tractive effort is 800 kN. The locomotives also feature a modern engine management system and improved crew cab conditions.
