Poland’s 320 km/h High-Speed Train Tender: Siemens Steps Up!

On January 26, 2026, Siemens Mobility of Germany and Polish manufacturer Newag signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen their cooperation in the Polish rail market, focusing on the technological development and evaluation of 320 km/h high-speed rolling stock. The two companies will jointly bid for a major tender recently launched by Polish national rail operator PKP Intercity, which involves the procurement of up to 55 high-speed trains with an operational speed of 320 km/h.

This collaboration builds on a 15-year strategic partnership between the two firms. They have previously cooperated on metro vehicle supply projects in cities such as Warsaw and Sofia, with Newag consistently procuring traction systems, gearboxes, and ETCS onboard equipment from Siemens, establishing a solid foundation for technical collaboration. Newag CEO Zbigniew Konieczek stated that in the high-speed rail sector, Siemens is a “natural strategic partner.” As Newag currently lacks the capability to independently manufacture high-speed trains, this partnership aims to leverage Siemens' advanced technology to enter Poland’s high-speed rail market.

According to the memorandum, the two companies will engage in comprehensive technical exchange and joint engineering development, focusing on the design, production, and maintenance of high-speed rolling stock to enhance project execution efficiency. The core objective of this cooperation is to participate in PKP Intercity's high-speed train tender, launched on December 30, 2025. Bids must be submitted by April 29, 2026, with the tender covering the procurement of 20 electric multiple units capable of operating at 320 km/h and an option for an additional 35 units. Bidding companies must demonstrate that they have delivered at least five high-speed trains operating at over 250 km/h within the EU, Switzerland, or the UK in the past seven years.

Poland is advancing the construction of its “Y-shaped” high-speed rail network, spanning approximately 480 kilometers with a design speed of up to 350 km/h. This network will connect key cities including Warsaw, the CPK hub airport, Łódź, and Poznań. The Warsaw–Łódź section is scheduled for completion in 2032, coinciding with the opening of CPK Airport. By then, travel times from Warsaw to major cities will be reduced to under 100 minutes, and the network will integrate into the European TEN-T transport corridor, enabling direct connections to cities such as Berlin and Prague, positioning Poland as a Central European rail hub.

The Siemens–Newag partnership brings complementary strengths: Siemens offers its proven Velaro high-speed train platform and extensive global operational experience, while Newag provides local manufacturing capabilities in Poland, enhancing the project’s localization rate and aligning with EU policies supporting local industry. Their joint bid is expected to leverage both technological expertise and local advantages to secure a competitive edge.

In recent years, Poland's rail sector has shown robust growth. In the first half of 2025, PKP Intercity recorded 40.4 million passenger journeys, a 31% increase compared to two years prior. Previously, Poland signed a €1.6 billion contract with Alstom for 42 Coradia Max double-deck trains, bringing the total investment in its rail fleet renewal to €4 billion. This high-speed train tender and the German–Polish corporate collaboration will not only advance the realization of Poland’s high-speed rail network but also strengthen Poland’s position in the Central European rail supply chain.

Exclusive negotiations between the two companies are expected to continue until the end of 2026. If successful, the contract is anticipated to be signed by the end of 2027, with the first train scheduled for delivery in 2032, aligning with the progress of Poland’s high-speed rail network construction. This cooperation marks a significant milestone in German–Polish rail industry synergy, intensifies competition in the European high-speed rail market, and injects new momentum into the transformation of rail travel in Poland and the wider Central European region.