The first prototype locomotive will be delivered in December and
following the completion of testing and certification, RZD will receive
the first 11 production locomotives next year.

The Euros 1 billion contract was signed at the fifth 1520 Strategic
Partnership international railway business forum, which is currently
being held in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

As part of the agreement, the companies also signed a plan for
localising Siemens components at the Urals Railway Machinery Plant. The
joint venture is 51% owned by Sinara and 49% by Siemens, which is
investing Euros 100 million in the Urals site and Euros 20 million in
its St Petersburg facility, where traction equipment will be
manufactured for the new locomotives.