The 160km/h 25kV 50 Hz ac locomotives will operate in push-pull mode with up to eight double-deck or 12 single-deck coaches and will have a nominal output of 6MW. Deliveries are due to begin at the end of 2017.

Tenders for the contract were launched in July 2014 and Bombardier was confirmed as preferred bidder in August. The contract was signed on September 20 and the order will be recorded in the company's third-quarter financial results.

The locomotives have been procured as part of IR's project to electrify 420km of the national network.