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Transport technology company r2p Asia-Pacific is exporting Australian equipment to help the Delhi Metro modernise its networks. A major contract with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will see the upgrade of 22 train sets.
‘r2p’s technology provides robust and modular architecture, ensuring scalability, maintainability and lifecycle efficiency,’ says Flemming Kaer, Founder and Member of the Board of r2p Group. ‘Commuters in Delhi can already see the benefit.’
The company benefits directly from the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). Equipment made in Australia enters India tariff-free. Previously, importers needed to pay a tariff of up to 25%.
Australian subsidiary becomes regional exporter
The Germany-based technology company, r2p, was founded in 2009. Today, it is a leading provider of intelligent technology surveillance and monitoring systems for the transport sector.
The company’s products include train monitoring and CCTV systems, passenger information systems, public address systems, automatic passenger counting, and real-time tracking and communication systems.
‘r2p is a trusted, globally recognised tech company that fully complies with Government of India procurement safety standards and security guidelines,’ says Dr Hemant Singh, Managing Director, r2p Technologies India Private Limited.
Strong global demand has seen r2p set up global subsidiaries in Australia, Europe, Canada, Brazil and Malaysia.
India’s growing metro network
India is a natural market for r2p. The country’s fast-growing metro network transports more than 10 million passengers each day. This underscores the country’s growing need for a smart, secure and future-ready public transport system.
According to Singh, train systems proven in Australia’s demanding weather conditions are well suited to India. For example, r2p’s IP65-rated controllers are compact and rugged, ensuring consistent performance, reducing failures and extending equipment life.
In 2023, growing demand encouraged r2p Australia to create an Indian subsidiary, r2p Technologies India Pvt Ltd (r2p India).
Upgrading the Delhi Metro
Success came quickly. In 2024, r2p Australia won a A$14 million tender to retrofit and upgrade 22 train sets, which comprise Delhi Metro’s RS-1 rolling stock fleet on the city’s Blue Line. It won the tender in consortium with Indian Government-owned RITES Limited (which is part of the Ministry of Railways). The contract marks the first comparable mid-life refurbishment on a metro system in India.
The contract includes upgrading cabin interiors and installing modern amenities such as CCTV cameras, fire detection systems, inter-vehicle couplers and upgraded control panels. It also includes integrating LCD-based digital route maps and enhanced passenger information systems.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation formally flags off the first refurbished trainset.
Manufacturing expansion in India
Today, r2p is in the process of setting up a manufacturing facility in Dehradun under a knowledge-transfer agreement with r2p Australia.
According to Singh, the “Make in India” initiative has created a compelling environment for foreign companies to increase localisation.
‘Domestic manufacturing helps meet regulatory requirements in India, but it also enhances cost efficiency and strengthens our supply chain resilience,’ he says. ‘r2p India has also established a software development division to provide clients with ongoing software maintenance support. This will help us customise solutions.
‘We currently employ around 20 people to support on-site installation, commissioning, and business-development initiatives,’ he adds.
Trade agreement aids exports
Singh says that tariff reductions under the Australian-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement have improved the competitiveness of r2p products in India.
‘Before the trade agreement, we had to pay up to 25% on imports of equipment from Australia,’ he says. ‘This benefit gives us a commercial advantage in India.’
Ongoing rail expansion in India.
The Delhi Metro contract improves the long-term prospects for r2p in India. Multiple metro systems are now in planning across India. This creates major opportunities for established suppliers.
According to Singh, r2p Australia plans to bring additional advanced technologies to India, which include a passenger counting system and live, onboard monitoring to enhance passenger safety.
Austrade support for r2p
Singh notes that r2p benefits from the strong relationship between India and Australia, adding that Austrade leverages this partnership to foster business relationships.
Austrade has been working closely with r2p since 2024. Singh reports that officials have helped facilitate introductions and established key connections with stakeholders across the country’s rail sector.
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