Banaras Locomotive Works has dispatched the sixth indigenously built 3300 HP AC–AC diesel-electric locomotive to Mozambique, advancing a ten-locomotive export order. The milestone highlights India’s growing self-reliance, engineering expertise and expanding role as a reliable global supplier of railway equipment under the Make in India vision.
Banaras Locomotive Works has once again demonstrated India’s growing strength in advanced manufacturing and engineering with the successful dispatch of the sixth indigenously manufactured 3300 Horse Power AC–AC diesel-electric locomotive to Mozambique on 15 December 2025. The milestone marks steady progress in a significant export order and reinforces India’s emergence as a credible supplier of modern railway technology to global markets.
The dispatch is part of a larger contract for the manufacture and export of ten 3300 HP AC–AC diesel-electric locomotives for Mozambique, secured by BLW and being executed through M/s RITES. The export programme has moved forward in a phased and timely manner. The first two locomotives were dispatched in June 2025, followed by the third in September and the fourth in October. The fifth locomotive was sent on 12 December, and the sixth followed just three days later, reflecting the production efficiency and delivery discipline achieved at the Varanasi-based manufacturing unit.
These exports underline BLW’s ability to deliver complex, high-horsepower locomotives tailored to international requirements. The 3300 HP Cape Gauge locomotives, built for a track gauge of 1067 mm, are designed to operate at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour. Their performance capabilities make them suitable for both freight and mixed-traffic operations, supporting Mozambique’s efforts to strengthen and modernise its rail network in line with growing economic and logistical demands.
Beyond power and speed, the locomotives incorporate several international-standard, driver-friendly features that highlight BLW’s focus on safety, comfort and operational efficiency. The modern cab design includes amenities such as a refrigerator, hot plate and mobile holder, reflecting global best practices in crew ergonomics. Such features not only enhance working conditions for locomotive pilots but also contribute to safer and more efficient operations over long distances and challenging terrains.
BLW, a public sector undertaking under Indian Railways, has steadily evolved from being a domestic manufacturing hub into an important centre for locomotive exports. Located in Varanasi, the unit has leveraged decades of experience in design, fabrication and testing to build advanced diesel-electric locomotives that meet diverse international specifications. Its growing export portfolio reflects a broader transformation within Indian Railways, which is increasingly positioning itself as a supplier of rolling stock and railway services to the world.
Since 2014, BLW has exported locomotives to countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Mozambique, supporting the development and upgrading of railway systems in these regions. Each export has required adaptation to different gauge systems, climatic conditions and operational needs, underscoring BLW’s engineering flexibility and technical depth. The current Mozambique order, involving high-horsepower Cape Gauge locomotives, further demonstrates the unit’s capability to design and manufacture for non-standard gauges prevalent outside India.
The Mozambique contract also highlights the role of RITES as an executing agency in facilitating India’s railway exports. Through such partnerships, Indian Railways has been able to combine manufacturing expertise with project management and international outreach, enabling the delivery of complex infrastructure solutions abroad. This integrated approach has helped India compete in markets traditionally dominated by established global players in railway equipment.
The success of BLW’s exports aligns closely with the national vision of Make in India and Make for the World. By designing and manufacturing locomotives domestically and supplying them to international partners, Indian Railways is showcasing its ability to meet global quality benchmarks while remaining cost-competitive. These initiatives demonstrate technological self-reliance and signal a shift from import dependence to export-led growth in the railway sector.
India’s footprint in the global railway equipment market has expanded significantly in recent years. Beyond locomotives, the country has exported metro coaches, bogies, passenger coaches and other critical railway components to a wide range of countries. In Europe, Indian-made railway equipment has found markets in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Italy, among others. In Africa, exports have reached nations such as Mozambique, the Republic of Guinea and South Africa. Other major destinations include Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada and Mexico, reflecting the geographical diversity of India’s export engagements.
These exports are not limited to the supply of hardware alone. They also represent the transfer of engineering expertise, manufacturing standards and operational know-how developed within Indian Railways over decades. For partner countries, Indian railway equipment offers a balance of reliability, adaptability and affordability, making it an attractive option for expanding and modernising rail networks in both developed and developing economies.
For BLW, the successful execution of the Mozambique order strengthens its reputation as a reliable exporter of high-performance locomotives. The steady dispatch of units over 2025 indicates robust production planning and quality assurance processes. It also reflects the workforce’s skill and the effectiveness of indigenous design capabilities that have been refined through continuous innovation and investment.
The export of the 3300 HP locomotives carries broader strategic significance for India. Railways are critical infrastructure assets that underpin trade, mobility and economic integration. By supplying locomotives and railway equipment abroad, India is contributing to infrastructure development in partner countries while deepening bilateral relationships. Such cooperation often opens avenues for future projects, maintenance contracts and capacity-building initiatives, further strengthening India’s presence in global infrastructure markets.
As the remaining locomotives under the Mozambique contract are readied for dispatch, BLW’s achievement stands as a testament to India’s growing confidence in advanced manufacturing. It reflects how public sector enterprises, when aligned with national policy and global market opportunities, can play a leading role in export growth. The success of these exports also reinforces the idea that Indian Railways is no longer just a domestic transporter but an emerging global player in railway technology and equipment.
In an era where infrastructure development is closely linked to economic resilience and sustainability, BLW’s locomotive exports signal a positive trajectory for India’s engineering and manufacturing sectors. By combining indigenous innovation with international collaboration, India is steadily carving out a place for itself in the competitive global railway equipment market, with Banaras Locomotive Works at the forefront of this transformation.
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