Deutsche Bahn (DB) has signed a groundbreaking partnership with four industry giants, signing a framework agreement worth up to 6.3 billion euros to comprehensively upgrade its digital control and safety technology system for the railway network. This is the largest technological transformation project in the history of German railways, marking a new stage in the process of intelligent railways in Europe.
According to the agreement, Deutsche Bahn will order 15,500 units of digital control system core equipment in batches by the end of 2028, and the specific projects will continue until 2032. The project consists of three technical pillars: a new generation of digital interlocking systems, the full deployment of the European Train Control System (ETCS), and the construction of an integrated control and operation platform. The first orders worth tens of millions of euros will be launched this spring.The consortium of four strategic partners
is composed of global rail transit leaders:
- MerMec, a local German company
- Hitachi Rail GTS Deutschland
- A German-owned consortium between Siemens Mobility and Leonhard Weiss
Disruptive cooperation model innovationThis
agreement pioneered the "bulk procurement + standardization platform" mechanism, requiring suppliers to develop modular solutions with unified interfaces that can be replicated on a large scale. Deutsche Bahn commits to legally binding procurement commitments for the duration of the contract in order to motivate manufacturers to invest in specific R&D. This cooperation model greatly reduces the implementation cycle of a single project from the traditional 8 years to "just a few years", and completely puts an end to the complex process of decentralized bidding in the past."This is a real paradigm shift in the rail industry," emphasises Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, "and by optimising the technical interfaces and establishing long-term cooperation, we are able to systematically allocate resources and efficiently modernize the German rail network." "The multiplier effect of technology upgrades
- Alstom will supply at least 1,890 digital interlocking and ETCS systems with a contract value of more than €600 million
- The Siemens-Weiss consortium has the largest share (EUR 2.8 billion) and dominates the integration of core control systems
- The whole system is compatible with the EU Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) standard, laying the technical foundation for cross-border intermodal transport
Bertord Huber, Director of Infrastructure at Deutsche Bahn Railways, said: "Control and safety technology is the most central and fastest iterating area of railway operations. This volume purchasing model will revolutionize the pace of technological refresh and ensure that the German rail network remains ahead of the digital competition. "It is reported that this innovative cooperation model will be extended to other railway upgrade projects in the future. With increased competition in rail transport in Europe, Germany is consolidating its strategic position as a European rail hub and setting a new benchmark for the digitalization of global railways through unprecedented technology investments.
