Japan gifts two bullet trains to help build India's first high-speed rail corridor

In a recent update, Japan has announced to donate two Shinkansen train sets – the E5 and E3 series – to India. The news was first in The Japan Times and since then has been gaining attention for all the right reasons. This donation is intended to assist in the testing and inspection of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, which is currently under construction.

The trains are expected to arrive in early 2026. Soon after being equipped with necessary inspection tools and will play an important role in gathering operational data, particularly in relation to the environmental challenges India faces, such as extreme temperatures and dust.

More about the bullet trains

The E10 series is a more advanced Shinkansen model set to debut in the early 2030s. It is being considered for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed route. However, it will not be ready for the partial opening of the line in August 2027. The testing of the E5 and E3 trains will aid Japan in refining the design of the E10 model, which both countries plan to adopt by the early 2030s.

For those who don’t know, the E5 series is a modern high-speed train developed by East Japan Railway (JR East), entering service in 2011. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h, it was initially chosen for India’s first bullet train project. The E3 series, slightly older, is used primarily for mini-shinkansen services and offers advanced safety systems and smooth travel.

Despite India’s original plan to use E5 trains for passenger service, delays and cost overruns led to a shift in strategy. The donation of these trains, along with the decision to switch to the more advanced E10 model, has brought renewed momentum to the project. The E10, also known as Alfa-X, can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h and is considered the pinnacle of Japanese rail technology.

Importance for India


For India, the Shinkansen represents more than just a high-speed train; it is a symbol of cutting-edge engineering, safety, and punctuality. Its introduction on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor marks a significant step in transforming the Indian railway system. By using the E5 and E3 trains for inspection, India will gain valuable firsthand experience with the technology before the E10’s full implementation. The bullet train project is funded largely by a low-interest loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), covering around 80% of the costs, with repayment spread over 50 years at a very low interest rate, making it financially sustainable for India.

This is not the first instance of Japan sharing Shinkansen technology internationally. Japan previously provided a first-generation Shinkansen train for Taiwan's high-speed rail network, continuing its tradition of supporting the development of high-speed rail globally.