According to Oleg Belozerov, CEO of Russian Railways, the company has reduced purchases of Lastochka electric trains by half in 2023. This is due to the implementation of “measures for technological independence.” Instead, the company plans to make deliveries of a completely Russian DC train in the second half of the year and dual-system trains in 2025. Lastochka trains were previously built on the basis of the Siemens Desiro, but Siemens’ Russian subsidiary left the Russian market in March 2022 due to sanctions once morest Russia. Russian Railways had planned to purchase Lastochka from the Sinara group for 67.5 billion rubles between 2023-2025. In 2021, they bought 145 Lastochka electric train cars and in 2022, 18 out of 28 planned trains were delivered. The statement was quoted by RIA Novosti and Laura Keffer authored the article.
In 2023, Russian Railways halved purchases of Lastochka electric trains, Oleg Belozerov, CEO of the company, said during a speech at the Federation Council. According to him, in the second half of the year, deliveries of a completely Russian analogue of the Lastochka will be carried out.
Photo: Kommersant / Alexander Miridonov
Photo: Kommersant / Emin Jafarov
Mr. Belozerov clarified that the reduction in purchases is due to the fact that the manufacturer must complete “measures for technological independence.” “Deliveries of a completely Russian DC train are planned in the second half of this year, and the delivery of dual-system trains is scheduled for 2025,” he said (quoted by RIA Novosti).
Lastochki were built on the basis of the Siemens Desiro electric train, the trains were serviced by the Russian subsidiary of Siemens. In March 2022, the company left the Russian market due to sanctions once morest Russia. Russian Railways planned to purchase Lastochka from the Sinara group for 67.5 billion rubles. in 2023–2025. In 2021, Russian Railways purchased 145 Lastochka electric train cars, and in 2022, the companies delivered 18 out of 28 planned trains.
In conclusion, Russian Railways is set to halve its purchases of Lastochka electric trains due to the forthcoming delivery of a completely Russian analogue in the second half of 2023. The reduction in purchases is also attributed to the completion of measures for technological independence. Lastochka trains were previously built on the basis of the Siemens Desiro electric train, which was serviced by the Russian subsidiary of Siemens until the company left the Russian market in March 2022 due to sanctions once morest Russia. Russian Railways had planned to purchase Lastochka trains from the Sinara group, but their new plans for a completely Russian analogue are set to bring a new level of independence to the company.