RUSSIA: Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin and Siemens Mobility CEO Hans-Jörg Grundmann signed a contract on September 21 for the German supplier to build a further 16 Desiro RUS electric multiple-units. Worth €170m, the deal follows an earlier contract for 38 trainsets valued at €410m.

Whereas the first batch of Desiro RUS trains is being built entirely at the Siemens factory in Krefeld, the second tranche of four-car 25 kV 50 Hz/3 kV DC trainsets will include an element of local content. Starting with 30% to 40%, this will rise progressively to reach 80% to 90% with Siemens working in partnership with Sinara in Yekaterinburg.

Grundmann described the contract as ’another milestone for co-operation between Siemens and Russian Railways’.