To accelerate the change in traction, the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) procured a total of 378 locomotives of the V 200 series (later BR 120) from the Soviet Union between 1966 and 1975. Since the locomotives lacked a train heating system from the factory, they were primarily used in freight train operations. Later, silencers were also added to reduce the noise level of the engines. Due to the loud engine noise, the locomotives quickly became known by the nickname "Taigatrommel.".