Indonesian-made Train Structures Reach Australia, Boosting Global Supply Chain Role

Indonesia's manufacturing prowess in the railway sector is gaining international recognition with PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA) successfully delivering locomotive platforms to Australia. The recent shipment of the 17th and 18th units marks a significant milestone in a contract for 50 units, valued at over 100 billion rupiah, signed in 2021.

These are not complete, operational locomotives but rather the fundamental structures, or underframes, without bogie installations. Australian firm UGL RS Pty Limited will integrate these underframes into their C44ESACi diesel-electric locomotives. This division of labor underscores Indonesia's ability to meet stringent international manufacturing standards, including precise design specifications, dimensional tolerances, and quality control.

The ongoing contract, which began with the delivery of the first two units in February 2025, is scheduled for completion by 2028. The consistent progress, evidenced by the 18th unit's shipment, demonstrates the project's stability and INKA's reliability as a supplier. This sustained engagement highlights the Pacific region as a crucial export market for Indonesian rail products.

To date, INKA has supplied over 1,000 freight cars and numerous locomotive platforms to support rail operations in Australia and New Zealand. This achievement solidifies Indonesia's position within the global railway industry's supply chain and showcases the nation's expanding industrial capabilities on the international stage.

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This delivery is an important achievement for INKA because it shows that national railway manufacturing products are not only used in Indonesia but are also accepted by the international market.