India’s First High-Speed Trains to Be Equipped with Knorr-Bremse Systems

India’s Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and rail manufacturer, BEML Ltd, have contracted Knorr-Bremse to provide key systems for the country’s first high-speed trains.

The agreement covers braking and entrance systems, as well as air conditioning and sanitary systems, for at least two prototype trains built by BEML.

The project represents the first step towards introducing high-speed rail travel in India. BEML, based in Bangalore, will construct the initial prototypes. Knorr-Bremse will supply its systems from the second quarter of 2026. The company will also provide long-term service support for 15 years through Knorr-Bremse RailServices, including maintenance, repair, and spare parts for the installed technologies.

The new trains are designed to run at speeds of up to 280 km/h along the 558-kilometre Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor, which is under development. This line includes a 22-kilometre section that will run underwater. The corridor is part of a wider transport initiative aimed at reducing travel times between major Indian cities, and further high-speed routes are currently being considered.

Following delivery of the prototype trains, Knorr-Bremse’s contract could extend to a further ten trainsets.

Dr Nicolas Lange, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG and responsible for the Rail Division said:

By equipping the first Indian high-speed trains, we have secured a pioneering mobility project, which we will support with local engineering and development expertise. We have been a reliable partner to the rail transportation industry in India for over 30 years and invest in technological capabilities and customer proximity on site. Our modern locations and our presence underscore the importance of India as a transportation market – both for the manufacture of products for India and for global export.