Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems to Establish H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line in India
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), India’s leading private sector player in aerospace and defence solutions, has formalised an agreement with Airbus Helicopters to establish the H125 Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India. This groundbreaking initiative marks the first private-sector helicopter assembly facility in India, aimed at producing Airbus’ highly sought-after H125 helicopter from its civil range for both India and neighbouring countries.
The contract was finalized at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, following the initial announcement by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on January 26 of this year.
Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems Limited, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are pleased to partner with Airbus to establish the final assembly line for H125 helicopters in India. This collaboration, built on TASL’s expertise in airborne platforms and our robust partnership with the Airbus Group, aligns perfectly with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It addresses India’s burgeoning helicopter market potential and enhances the country’s helicopter manufacturing capabilities.”
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, highlighted the strategic importance of local production, stating, “India presents significant opportunities for helicopter operations, and we believe that producing the ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter is pivotal to unlocking this promising market. We are confident that locally assembled helicopters will open new civil and parapublic markets, including Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and other critical public services.”
The FAL in India will undertake the integration of major component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, and testing and qualification of the helicopters. It will play a crucial role in delivering helicopters tailored to the diverse needs of Indian and regional customers. Initial deliveries of the ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopters are scheduled to commence in 2026.
Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Helicopters are currently finalizing the location for the FAL, with an announcement expected soon.
The H125 helicopter is renowned as the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, celebrated for its versatility and performance in various missions such as aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, and air ambulance services. Part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, it has amassed over 40 million flight hours globally, demonstrating its reliability and adaptability in high-and-hot and extreme environments.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in India’s aerospace sector, contributing to the country’s industrial capabilities and reinforcing its position as a key player in global aviation manufacturing.