India will export 150 Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives worth over Rs 30 billion to the Republic of Guinea for use at the Simandou iron ore project site, the Ministry of Railways announced on Monday, 16 June 2025.

Manufactured at the Railway Locomotive Factory in Marhowrah, Bihar, the locomotives are part of the Make-in-India initiative and will be supplied in phases: 37 units in the current financial year, 82 units next year, and the remaining 31 in the third year.

The 4,500-horsepower locomotives feature AC propulsion, regenerative braking, microprocessor-based controls, and modular architecture. Each locomotive will have an air-conditioned cab, and two units operating in tandem will haul up to 100 wagons at the maximum permissible speed. These units are equipped with Distributed Power Wireless Control System (DPWCS) to ensure synchronised freight handling.

The project, secured through global competitive bidding, required the Marhowrah facility to lay three types of track gauges — broad gauge, standard gauge, and cape gauge — to meet the diverse specifications.

The locomotives are also designed with modern ergonomic crew cabins featuring a refrigerator, microwave, and a waterless toilet system. Additional safety and sustainability measures include advanced emission standards, fire-detection systems, and superior build quality.

The Marhowrah factory currently provides direct employment to 285 people and indirect employment to 1,215 others, contributing to regional industrial growth.

This export marks a significant milestone in India’s growing global presence in railway manufacturing and engineering, reinforcing the country’s capability to deliver high-performance, globally competitive infrastructure solutions.