In a significant development for India’s aviation sector, Tata Group and Airbus, the European aerospace giant, have joined forces to manufacture helicopters for civilian use within the country. This collaboration represents a major triumph for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative. Under this partnership, Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a Tata Group subsidiary, plan to establish a final assembly line (FAL) in India. This facility will produce Airbus’s popular H 125 helicopters, aiming to fulfill the needs of both the Indian market and neighboring countries.
The project to set up the FAL is expected to take 24 months, with the inaugural batch of India-made H125 helicopters anticipated to be delivered in 2026. Airbus and Tata will collaboratively decide on the location for the FAL. This venture marks the first time a private sector entity will be involved in helicopter manufacturing in India. It is also the second FAL that Airbus has planned in India, following the C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara.
This announcement coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, where he attended the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. The new FAL in India will handle several critical tasks, including assembling major component assemblies, integrating avionics and mission systems, installing electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel systems, and engines. Additionally, the facility will conduct testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 helicopters to customers in India and the region.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed that helicopters play a pivotal role in nation-building. He emphasized that a helicopter manufactured in India would not only symbolize a confident, new India but also unleash the full potential of the country’s helicopter market. Faury highlighted that the helicopter FAL, being developed in collaboration with Tata, reaffirms Airbus’s commitment to nurturing the aerospace ecosystem in India.
N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, shared his enthusiasm about establishing India’s first private-sector helicopter assembly facility. He noted that the facility would manage the final assembly line in partnership with Airbus for the globally acclaimed Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter, catering to both Indian and international markets.
The domestically-produced H125 is poised to transform the use of helicopters in India, impacting various sectors like passenger and cargo transport, emergency medical services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, and aerial work missions. The H125 will play a vital role in enhancing last-mile connectivity, especially in remote areas, aligning with the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN), which aims to boost the tourism sector.
The H125, known as the world’s top-selling single-engine helicopter, is a high-performance, versatile aircraft from Airbus’ Ecureuil family. It has logged over 38 million flight hours globally. The H125 excels in various environments, including high-altitude and extreme conditions. Its adaptability for numerous missions, ranging from aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, and more, makes it exceptionally versatile. Notably, the H125 is the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest.
The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility represents Airbus’s second FAL in India, leveraging TASL’s expertise in aerospace and defense. Besides this, the companies are also collaborating on the C295 military transport aircraft FAL in Vadodara, Gujarat. Airbus’s latest announcement is a part of its strategy to develop a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem in India. The company is expanding its industrial footprint in the country through aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering, digital design, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training, and academic partnerships to cultivate skilled human resources.
In a landmark move for Indian aviation, Tata Group and Airbus have teamed up to produce civilian helicopters, marking a major achievement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative. This collaboration involves setting up a final assembly line (FAL) in India by Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, for manufacturing Airbus’s renowned H 125 helicopters. This initiative is aimed at catering to the demands of both the Indian market and neighboring regions.
The establishment of the FAL is expected to take 24 months, with the first India-made H125 helicopters slated for delivery in 2026. The location of the FAL will be jointly determined by Airbus and Tata Group. This venture signifies the first instance of a private sector entity venturing into helicopter manufacturing in India and marks the second FAL that Airbus is constructing in the country, following the C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara.
The announcement was made during French President Emmanuel Macron’s two-day visit to India for the Republic Day celebrations. The FAL in India will handle integration of major component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel systems, and engines. It will also conduct testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 helicopters to customers in India and surrounding areas.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury stated that helicopters are essential for nation-building and a ‘made-in-India’ civil helicopter symbolizes a confident New India, unlocking the helicopter market’s potential in the country. He noted that this helicopter FAL, constructed with Tata, reaffirms Airbus’s commitment to developing India’s aerospace ecosystem.
N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, expressed delight at establishing India’s first private sector helicopter assembly facility. He highlighted that this facility, in partnership with Airbus, will handle the final assembly line for the globally popular Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter, targeting both Indian and export markets.
The India-made H125 is expected to revolutionize helicopter use in the country, impacting sectors like passenger and cargo transportation, emergency medical services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, and aerial work missions. The helicopter will also contribute to last-mile connectivity in remote areas, aligning with the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN), promoting tourism.
Renowned as the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, the H125 is part of Airbus’s Ecureuil family, with more than 38 million flight hours globally. It operates effectively in high-altitude and extreme conditions and can be reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, and others. The H125 holds the distinction of being the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest.
The upcoming helicopter manufacturing facility is Airbus’s second FAL in India, building on TASL’s aerospace and defense expertise. In addition to this project, Airbus and TASL are developing the C295 military transport aircraft FAL in Vadodara, Gujarat. This initiative is part of Airbus’s efforts to cultivate a holistic aerospace ecosystem in India, expanding its industrial presence through aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering, digital design, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training, and academic collaborations to foster skilled human capital.