OREANDA-NEWS. On July 16, 2009 in Munich, in the presence of Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the CEO of Russian Railways (RZD) Vladimir Yakunin, the CEO of the Sinara Group Dmitriy Pumpyanskiy and Siemens AG Management Board Member Siegfried Russwurm signed an agreement on the manufacture and supply of Russian locomotives with asynchronous traction, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

In the agreement, RZD, Sinara Group and Siemens AG express their interest in organizing the production of locomotives and locomotive parts in Russia on mutually advantageous terms, and define the general principles of cooperation between the parties. The technical specifications for the new locomotives are to be drawn up RZD. Locomotive parts such traction transformers, traction motors and gearing will be manufactured by Siemens or one of its subsidiaries inside the Russian Federation.

An experimental version of the new locomotive is to be produced in 2010, while the specifics of the manufacture and procurement programme to 2014 will be decided on the basis of RZD’s investment programme. The locomotives will incorporate innovative technologies, systems and materials; they will be fully compliant with all transport safety standards and provide comfortable working conditions for the engine crews.

The agreement signed today states that the terms and conditions governing assignment of intellectual property rights will be set out in separate commercial contracts.