French rail safety body EPCF has approved the Velaro D high-speed train for use in France.

Siemens’ new Velaro D trainsets were certified to operate on high-speed routes in Germany in December 2013.

Since the original order for 15 trains was placed in 2008, Siemens has agreed to supply two extra vehicles – one to compensate for the delay and another to replace an ICE3MF set which was damaged in an accident in 2010.

Eight of the trainsets have been used for testing in France and Belgium.