MOSCOW, March 26. /TASS/. The Russian state corporation Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) may start cooperation with China on its project of development and production of locomotives, CEO Oleg Sienko said in an interview to TASS.

Earlier the corporation planned to implement the project jointly with the US-based Caterpillar, however, the cooperation was frozen due to sanctions introduced by the US against UVZ.

"The Chinese [companies] may come instead of Caterpillar, we’re studying this issue. We even have joint framework agreements singed," Sienko said.

In 2013, UVZ and Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), a leading manufacturer of diesel-electric locomotives, signed a memorandum of understanding to examine potential opportunities for the development and build out of mainline locomotives in Russia. The plan was to develop a mainline locomotive model at 4500 BHP using an EMD AC transmission system, EMD 16-710 engine and other EMD service proven components, technologies and designs. The two companies planned to achieve 50% local content in Russia for the locomotive build program.

Research and Production Corporation Uralvagonzavod is a Russian corporation integrating over 20 industrial enterprises, R&D establishments and design engineering bureaus in Russia and Europe. It produces about 200 kinds of products: military equipment, road-building machinery and railway vehicles. Uralvagonzavod Corporation is the largest in the CIS manufacturer of railway cars with a market share of about 35%, and Russia's only producer of T-90 heavy tank and special equipment on its base. The Russian Government owns 100% of the UVZ shares via Rosimushchestvo (the Federal Agency for State Property Management).