Italian operator Italo Holding has signed a contract with Siemens Mobility for the supply of 26 Velaro MS (Multi System) high-speed trainsets, with an option for 14 additional units. This is the penultimate generation of Siemens’ high-speed platform, which DB designates the ICE 3 neo and operates as Class 408 in Germany.
The agreement includes a comprehensive 30-year full-service contract and is valued at approximately EUR 3 billion. The trainsets will be built at Siemens’ Krefeld plant in Germany, whilst long-term maintenance will be carried out at the company’s own depot in Dortmund, which will use this rolling stock to compete with Deutsche Bahn on the domestic network.
Each formation will comprise eight cars with capacity for around 440 seats, and will reach a maximum speed of 320 km/h. Being multi-system, the trainsets will be compatible with 1.5 kV and 3 kV DC, as well as 15 kV and 25 kV AC catenary voltages, enabling cross-border operation into countries such as France, Italy and Belgium.
Notable features include the integration of Starlink antennas, providing passengers with high-speed satellite connectivity. The service contract also incorporates the Railigent X digital platform along with AI-based fleet monitoring tools, geared towards predictive maintenance and operational efficiency throughout the trainsets’ service life.
Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, described Italo’s decision as “a vote of confidence” in the Velaro platform, which has accumulated beyond 3 billion kilometres of revenue-earning service across various countries.