Belgium’s National Railway Company NMBS / SNCB has formally signed the framework agreement for its future MR30 / AM30 electric multiple units with manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) from the Basque Country in Spain. 

The signing took place on Wednesday 14 January 2026, Mobilithib, the specialist rail and mobility blog run by Thibault Lapers, reports.

The initial order covers 180 trainsets, representing 54,000 seats, for a total value of approximately €1.7 billion. This first tranche forms part of NMBS / SNCB’s wider objective to renew half of its rolling stock by 2032 under the public service contract agreed with the Belgian State.

The agreement was signed by Sophie Dutordoir, CEO of NMBS / SNCB, and Javier Martínez Ojinaga, CEO of CAF. As Thibault Lapers explains on Mobilithib, the framework contract is a key milestone in meeting NMBS / SNCB’s long-term capacity, comfort and reliability targets.

Major renewal of rolling stock

Under the terms of the contract, 50% of the fleet is to be renewed by 2032 in order to cope with expected passenger growth, improve on-board comfort and replace ageing, failure-prone trains with more reliable and energy-efficient units. NMBS / SNCB describes the agreement with CAF as essential to achieving these goals.

The 180 MR30 / AM30 units have an initial base cost of €1.695 billion, rising to a current total of €1.722 billion once additional options are included. Of the €27 million increase compared with the original contract award in February 2025, €16 million is attributable to optional extras specified by NMBS / SNCB.

A preliminary visual

A preliminary visual rendering of the MR30 / AM30 has circulated internally and on social media. However, NMBS / SNCB spokesperson Tom Guillaume told Mobilithib that it cannot yet be confirmed whether the images accurately reflect the final design, as the trains still need to pass through the detailed design phase.

According to information published by Mobilithib in December, the 54,000 seats will be distributed across three types of unit. 

These consist of 136 high-capacity InterCity units with four cars, two of which are double-deck, obtained at a discounted price; 20 high-capacity suburban units made up of three cars, including one double-deck vehicle; and 24 suburban single-deck units with three cars, equipped with batteries. 

The battery-equipped units are intended to replace the diesel AR41 fleet between 2032 and 2035, with some MW41 / AR41 units being withdrawn from service as early as 2026.

Each MR30 / AM30 unit is expected to cost between €7.99 million and €8.86 million, with the battery-powered version being the most expensive. Options added to the contract include certification of critical components, software systems, text-to-speech audio announcements, and RGB LED destination displays on the sides and fronts of the trains.

2030?

NMBS / SNCB plans to introduce the first MR30 / AM30 units from the fourth quarter of 2030, with deliveries continuing until 2033. 

This timetable will allow the gradual withdrawal of older rolling stock, including the remaining M5 coaches built between 1986 and 1987 between 2027 and 2031, the MR75m / AM75m ‘Quadruple‘ or ‘Pig Nose‘ units between 2031 and 2034, the MR80 / AM80 ‘Break‘ units between 2032 and 2035, and the MR86 / AM86 ‘Sprinter‘ units between 2030 and 2032. Initial entry into service of the MR30 / AM30 fleet was delayed by several months due to legal appeals lodged during 2025.

If NMBS / SNCB exercises the optional follow-on orders included in the framework agreement, additional MR30 / AM30 units would be delivered between 2033 and 2035, covering a further 46,000 seats, and then between 2035 and 2038, adding up to 70,000 more seats. 

Overall, the 12-year framework agreement allows for up to 380 additional units, bringing the potential total to as many as 560 MR30 / AM30 trainsets across three contracts.

Potential collaboration with Alstom in Bruges

In a related development, federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) announced on 16 January that CAF is willing to explore a collaboration with Alstom at its Bruges site in connection with the MR30 / AM30 programme. 

The statement was made during the official opening of a new NMBS / SNCB maintenance workshop in Ostend, an investment of €47 million designed to speed up repairs and increase train availability during peak hours.

According to the minister, discussions with CAF confirmed the Spanish manufacturer’s openness to working with Alstom on the 180 MR30 / AM30 units ordered by NMBS / SNCB. 

Alstom had previously bid unsuccessfully for the contract and subsequently challenged the decision before the Council of State, without success. The loss of the contract had raised serious concerns among trade unions at Alstom Bruges about the future of the factory.

Jean-Luc Crucke stressed that the procurement process had been conducted in a fair and lawful manner, noting that NMBS / SNCB is not permitted to favour either national or international bidders. At the same time, he underlined the importance of safeguarding local employment and confirmed that he had personally encouraged CAF to seek cooperation with Alstom.

CAF has since indicated that it is prepared to enter into discussions with Alstom’s management. 

According to the minister, talks are expected to begin in the near future, provided that Alstom’s willingness and industrial capacity are confirmed and that any cooperation remains economically viable and in line with market conditions. At this stage, the precise form such a partnership might take has not yet been defined.

The AM30 / MR30 case

• Board of Directors of NMBS / SNCB awards MR30 / AM30 contract to CAF and orders first trains.
• NMBS / SNCB to order 180 CAF Civity trains, including battery-powered sets.
• BELGIUM | Council of State backs NMBS / SNCB’s choice of Spanish CAF for multi-billion train order.
• NMBS / SNCB’s AM30 / MR30 order faces political and legal headwinds as costs of delay mount.
• BELGIUM | NMBS / SNCB confirms CAF as preferred bidder for AM30.
• Spanish CAF to provide trains for NMBS / SNCB AM30.
• VIDEO | NS present CAF Civity Duo ‘Dubbeldekker Nieuwe Generatie’, poised to be the NMBS / SNCB AM30.
• NMBS / SNCB 2030 AM30 three-car units to feature battery option for cross-border routes.