ISRAEL Railways (IR) and Siemens signed a contract worth more than $US 1bn on March 7 for the delivery of 60 Desiro HC regional EMUs over the next 10 years. A contract worth up to €900m for Siemens to supply to Israel Railways with up to 60 four-car and six-car Desiro HC double-deck electric multiple-units over 10 years was signed in Lod on March 7.

The initial tranche of 24 trains comprises six four-car and 18 six-car sets, each formed of two single-deck driving cars and two or four double-deck intermediate vehicles. This includes a firm order for the supply of an initial six four-car and 18 six-car EMUs and the provision of 15 years of maintenance at a purpose-built depot in Ashkelon.

There are further options for maintenance. The overall fleet of 60 trains is valued at $US 910m. Siemens will build a new maintenance centre at Ashkelon at a cost of $US 65.3m and maintain the first 24 trains in a 15-year deal worth $US 113.6m.

‘This order is strategically important for us in two respects’, said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens’ Mobility Division. Siemens has previously supplied hauled stock to ISR, but now ‘for the first time in our company’s history, we will be delivering complete trains to Israel’, Soussan said. ‘And also for the first time, we’ve sold our innovative Desiro HC train platform outside Germany.’

Alstom, Bombardier Transportation, Hitachi Rail Italy, Siemens, Škoda Transportation and Stadler had submitted best and final offers for the EMU contract, which has been awarded as part of ISR’s 25 kV 50 Hz electrification programme. Siemens was named preferred bidder in September 2017, subject to final approval from the Ministry of Economy.