CAF Clinches €1.7 Billion Deal, Belgium’s Largest-Ever Train Order

Spanish manufacturer CAF has secured Belgium’s largest train order in history, signing a €1.7 billion contract with Belgian National Railways (SNCB). The agreement includes an initial order for 180 trains, with a 12-year framework that allows for up to 380 additional units—potentially reaching a total of 560 vehicles, setting a national record in railway procurement.

The first trains are scheduled to enter service in 2030, comprising both double-deck 3- and 4-car AM30 EMUs and single‑deck battery‑electric MR30 units. All will be based on CAF’s Civity platform, which also supplies trains to Dutch operator NS.

The procurement process faced significant twists: after being named preferred bidder in March 2025, CAF faced appeals from rivals Alstom and Siemens. Although CAF’s bid was not the cheapest, it achieved the highest overall score. SNCB confirmed in July that it would proceed with CAF, while requesting the manufacturer to boost local hiring and sourcing, and ensure compliance with international law and human rights standards.

With the competitors’ appeals ultimately rejected, Alstom has since announced plans to close its Bruges plant in Belgium by mid‑2026, cutting 150 jobs.