Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) will set up India’s first helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) in the private sector to manufacture Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopters at Vemagal, Karnataka.
The initiative is expected to unlock the rotorcraft market in South Asia and strengthen India’s self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing, the companies said.
The ‘Made in India’ H125 will serve civil and para-public markets while also meeting the Indian armed forces’ need for a light multi-role helicopter, particularly in high-altitude Himalayan terrain. A military version, the H125M, is planned to be produced at the facility with high levels of localised content and technology. The first deliveries are expected in early 2027, with the helicopter also positioned for exports across South Asia.
The project will cover manufacturing, integration, testing and final flight trials, enabling use cases such as medical evacuation, disaster relief, tourism, law enforcement and defence. Airbus already sources about USD 1.4 billion worth of components and services annually from India, and the new facility further deepens its local footprint, following the C295 military aircraft assembly line in Gujarat.
“India is an ideal helicopter country. A ‘Made in India’ helicopter will help develop this market and position helicopters as an essential tool for nation-building,” said Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director, Airbus India & South Asia.
Sukaran Singh, CEO & MD, TASL, added, “Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private sector company in India to build helicopters. This will bolster both civil and defence requirements and further reinforces the partnership between Tata and Airbus.”
Globally, the H125 has logged over 40 million flight hours and is the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest, underscoring its versatility and performance in extreme environments. |
