The agreement will enable Danish State Railways (DSB) to launch tenders for a framework contract to supply and maintain a minimum of 90 trains, the first of which will be delivered at the end of 2023.

Under DSB’s Future Train programme, the contract will include a Full Service Agreement (FSA), giving the supplier full responsibility for maintenance of the fleet.

The 25kV ac 50Hz trains will replace DSB’s ageing IC3 DMUs and IR4 EMUs, as well as the ill-fated fleet of AnsaldoBreda IC4 DMUs.

Following the IC4 debacle the government is keen to seek a service-proven design, and the agreement calls for "market-based standard solutions that have been commissioned elsewhere in Europe."

With the consent of parliament secured, DSB says it will immediately begin the procurement.

The contract is due to be awarded at the end of 2019 or early in 2020, and government approval of the order will be subject to an external audit of the procurement.

The initial batch of 90 trains will be designed for 200km/h operation, although the contract will include an option for 250km/h trains. 

The trains will be compliant with the TSI for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM TSI), with an entry floor height of 55cm to enable level boarding. 

the total cost of the order including the mainteance contract is expected to be between DKr 17 and DKr 22bn.