Turkiye is nearing the launch of its first domestically produced high-speed train, after authorities announced that production of the first set has reached a physical completion stage of approximately 90%. According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the new electric frame, designed for a maximum speed of 225 km/h, is set to be put on rails and enter the testing phase in 2026.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who specified that the new electric train is designed for a maximum speed of 225 km/h and is the fastest train developed so far by the Turkiye railway industry.
Production of the first train nearing completion
According to the minister, work on the first set is in its final stages, with the interior fittings and final technical details being completed. The electric multiple units consist of eight aluminum-bodied carriages and will have a total capacity of 577 passengers.
“We will put the first train on the tracks and begin the testing process in 2026,” said Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, emphasizing that the project has reached a level of industrial maturity that allows it to enter the dynamic testing and approval stage.
As part of the project, Turkish authorities estimate the production of 15 high-speed electric multiple units, including a prototype, between 2026 and 2028.
Currently, 31 multiple units are in operation on Turkiye’s high-speed lines, which means that almost half of the existing fleet would be supplemented with domestically manufactured trains.
Modern amenities and a focus on accessibility
The new high-speed electric train is equipped with a complete package of modern systems designed for passenger safety and comfort.
These include the train control and monitoring system, the automatic braking system, electromechanical passenger access doors, fully automatic air conditioning, fire detection and alarm systems, as well as audio-visual passenger information systems and surveillance cameras.
The trains will also offer Wi-Fi access, vending machines for food and beverages, and a kitchen area. An important feature is the facilities dedicated to passengers with reduced mobility: two specially designed compartments and lifts that allow boarding and disembarking directly from the platform level with a wheelchair.
According to the Minister of Transport, the trains have been designed “to meet both current and future needs, with a high level of comfort and innovation.”
Part of a broader industrial localization program
The development of the high-speed electric frame is part of a broader program to localize rolling stock production, included in the Annual Presidential Program for 2026.
The document provides for an increase in the share of domestically produced components and the development of national design, research and development, production, maintenance, and repair capacities for railway vehicles.
In this context, the national manufacturer TÜRASAŞ is working not only on the high-speed train, but also on other strategic projects. In addition to the 225 km/h HSR prototype, the company is developing nine electric multiple units with speeds of up to 160 km/h for regional and interregional services, as well as approximately 30 electric locomotives.
At the same time, design work is underway for a Co-Co type locomotive and railway maintenance vehicles, with the prototyping phase to be launched after the design is completed.
Industrial investments and production capacities
The national program also provides for the development of the industrial infrastructure necessary for the production of high-speed trains. TÜRASAŞ has already started building a dedicated plant in northwestern Turkiye, in the province of Sakarya.
The factory will have an area of approximately 15,000 m² and a production capacity of up to 12 high-speed multiple units, with an estimated annual contribution to the economy of around 83.1 million USD.
The authorities in Ankara believe that investments in rail transport, along with maritime transport, will help reduce environmental impact, increase energy efficiency, and lower costs in the transport and logistics sector.
In this context, the electrification of the network and the increase in the number of electric traction vehicles are key objectives of the medium- and long-term strategy.
A strategic step for the Turkish railway industry
The entry into the testing phase of the first domestically produced high-speed electric train marks an important step for the railway industry in Turkiye.
Beyond its symbolic significance, the project indicates the authorities’ ambition to build an industrial ecosystem capable of supporting the production of high-speed trains and reducing dependence on imports in a complex technological segment.
The tests scheduled for 2026 will represent the next critical milestone for the project, confirming whether the train can subsequently enter commercial operation and become a permanent part of Turkiye’s high-speed network.
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