Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Wabtec to provide financial support of $1.6 billion to improve its locomotive park, innovate, and develop the railway transport system in Kazakhstan.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Wabtec supports KTZ modernization and staff training
Photo: KTZ

Wabtec expands partnership with KTZ in the United States

During the course of the official visit of the Kazakh delegation to the U.S., the KTZ and Citibank signed the mandate agreement on the coordination of the financing process over a period of ten years, with the U.S. Export-Import Bank (US EXIM) acting as the guarantor for the investment, hence facilitating the implementation of the investment project.

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Furthermore, there was the signing of the cooperation agreement between Wabtec and KTZ on the development of personnel. Starting from 2027, the professional skill development of the engineers of KTZ Freight Transportation LLP will be conducted in the production facilities of Wabtec located in the USA. The course will include the operation and maintenance of TE33A T-series locomotives, studying the HPCR EVO diesel engines, amongst others.

Following the U.S.-based stage of the trainings, there will be the continuation of the trainings in the state of Kazakhstan itself. The company, Wabtec, will also be involved in facilitating the internships for the selected students who are chosen on the basis of the national “Bolashak” scholarship program.

Wabtec localizes locomotive production in Astana

The two parties signed a contract worth $4.2 billion in September 2025 for the production of 300 locomotives. The production process will be conducted by Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, with the process scheduled to commence in 2027 and run until 2038, with 30 units delivered each year to KTZ.

This project increases the importance of Kazakhstan itself as one of the main transfer points in Eurasia. The new trains will also boost fuel efficiency, lower operation cost, and boost the transport speed of the trains. It is, therefore, clear that the partnership with Wabtec is an exceptional partnership in technology.

The investment provides synergy between innovation, education, and production. Kazakhstan benefits from quality employment and cutting-edge technology, while the American firm is able to enter the important Eurasian market.

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What is Wabtec and what does the company do?

Wabtec is an American corporation that manufactures locomotives and railway equipment, offering digital and energy-efficient transport solutions.

When will Wabtec begin locomotive deliveries for KTZ?

The first deliveries are scheduled for 2027, with the full program running until 2038.

Will KTZ engineers receive training abroad?

Yes, training begins in 2027 at Wabtec facilities in the United States and will later continue in Kazakhstan.

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