A proposal for a new generation of high-speed electric trains has been presented to India by Russia’s Transmashholding (TMH), which has the potential to establish a new chapter in the expanding railroad partnership between Moscow and New Delhi.
During the INNOPROM, TMH CEO Kirill Lipa introduced the Ivolga FG (IVOLGA FG) high-speed train concept to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister. The proposal involves the development of the train in collaboration with Indian partners and its production within India. The proposal’s high-speed rail ambitions are underscored by the potential investment capacity of the broader project, which could exceed $400 billion, as per TMH.
India is in the process of expanding its railroad infrastructure and developing domestic capabilities in advanced rolling stock, which is why the presentation is timely. TMH is positioning the Ivolga FG as a platform that has the potential to be developed, manufactured, and exported from India, rather than merely offering an imported train.
360 km/h Train With 642-Passenger Capacity
The eight-car electric multiple unit, Ivolga FG, is proposed to have a construction speed of 360 km/h and a capacity of approximately 642 passengers. That would ensure that the concept is firmly classified as high-speed rail and exceeds the operational speeds of India’s current Vande Bharat semi-high-speed trains.
The proposal has been emphasized by Indian media as potentially significant for the country’s future high-speed rail network, particularly as India contemplates expanding its high-speed rail ambitions beyond its first dedicated corridor.
An autonomous running capability is one of the more unconventional features that has been suggested for the train. The concept has the potential to provide additional operational flexibility in situations where conventional electrified infrastructure or normal operating arrangements are unavailable, as it allows for up to 100 km of autonomous operation at speeds of 200 km/h.
Advanced automation is also being considered when designing the train. According to TMH, the Ivolga FG has the potential to be equipped with GoA3 or GoA4 autonomous train operation systems, which are among the most advanced levels of railroad automation. The proposed system would incorporate obstacle detection at distances of up to 2 kilometers, suggesting that automation and safety are intended to be foundational components of the design rather than later additions.
Designed for Indian production
The proposed manufacturing strategy may be more significant than the headline speed.
TMH asserts that it is prepared to collaborate with Indian partners to coordinate train production within India and to collaborate on the joint development of trains. The company has also proposed that the high-speed railroads that are developed through the partnership could eventually become a technology-intensive export product from India.
Therefore, the Ivolga FG concept is being introduced in the context of India’s ongoing efforts to promote localization and manufacturing. The train’s weight is to be reduced through the extensive use of aluminum, and the proposal calls for a significant portion of structural components to be manufactured domestically. According to reports, the objective is to manufacture as many as 80% of structural elements in India.
This method could provide the undertaking with significance that extends beyond the trains themselves. The establishment of domestic capabilities for high-speed train bodies, propulsion equipment, control systems, interiors, and maintenance has the potential to establish a broader industrial ecosystem in the vicinity of India’s future high-speed railroad network.
From Vande Bharat to High-Speed Rail
The proposed Ivolga FG project also builds on an existing Russian-Indian railway relationship.
In 2023, Kinet Railway Solutions, an Indo-Russian joint venture involving TMH and India’s Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, secured a major contract for the production of 1,920 Vande Bharat sleeper coaches. The contract is estimated to be worth $6.5 billion, and Kinet is also responsible for maintenance for a 35-year scope.
This project is a major example of the localization model that could potentially be implemented in a future high-speed train program, as it is currently being produced at India’s Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur.
The Vande Bharat program and the Ivolga FG proposal are technically different proposals. While Vande Bharat is predominantly a semi-high-speed platform for India’s current railroad environment, the Ivolga FG concept is designed to support substantially higher speeds and is intended for dedicated or appropriately upgraded high-speed infrastructure.
However, the knowledge acquired from the production of Vande Bharat trains in India could serve as a basis for more extensive collaboration.
A Train Built Around Indian Passengers
TMH is also proposing a passenger experience tailored to a large and diverse Indian market.
It is anticipated that the eight-car train will provide various accommodations, a restaurant, a designated children’s area, and amenities for passengers with disabilities. These characteristics indicate that the concept is being developed as a comprehensive long-distance passenger system, rather than merely as a high-speed technical demonstrator.
This distinction could be significant for India. In addition to travel time, a successful high-speed rail program must also compete on the basis of comfort, frequency, reliability, accessibility, and the overall passenger experience.
The $400 Billion Question
The prospective investment capacity of over $400 billion is the most striking figure associated with the proposal.
That figure should not be interpreted as the price of the Ivolga FG train. Rather, it is indicative of the prospective size of the industrial ecosystem and high-speed rail infrastructure that could be created if India establishes a substantial national network.
Therefore, the proposal is a much more significant undertaking than a novel train design. TMH is effectively providing India with a potential partnership that encompasses the development of high-speed rail, localization, manufacturing, and technology.
It is uncertain whether the Ivolga FG will ultimately transition from a concept to an operational Indian train.