In a significant advancement for India’s aerospace sector, TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has announced a collaboration with Airbus to establish the nation’s first private-sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) dedicated to the production of H125 helicopters. This facility will be situated in Vemagal, Karnataka, heralding a new era in indigenous helicopter manufacturing.
The H125, branded as a “Made in India” product, will cater to both civil and defense markets, including a specialized military variant known as the H125M, designed for the rigorous operational environments of India, notably the challenging Himalayan terrains. The inaugural delivery from the Vemagal facility is anticipated by early 2027, and the helicopter is also slated for export to neighboring South Asian countries.
Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, underscored India’s suitability for helicopter production, stating, “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.” He expressed pride in the enhanced partnership with TATA through this venture.
Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TATA Advanced Systems, emphasized the importance of this assembly line, marking it as the first of its kind in the private sector while reinforcing TATA’s collaboration with Airbus. He noted, “This is our second assembly line with Airbus, reinforcing our capabilities in delivering both civil and defense aerospace solutions. TASL is uniquely positioned to manufacture, integrate, and test complete helicopters, thereby enhancing India’s self-reliance in aerospace technologies.”
Part of Airbus’ renowned Ecureuil family, the H125 is distinguished as the world’s top-selling single-engine helicopter, recognized for its exceptional performance, versatility, and suitability for extreme operational conditions. Remarkably, it is the only helicopter that has successfully landed on Mount Everest. The H125 can be configured for a variety of roles, including firefighting, law enforcement, rescue missions, air ambulance services, and passenger transport.
The establishment of the Vemagal FAL aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to enhance the domestic aerospace ecosystem while strengthening the country’s capacities in both civil and military rotorcraft manufacturing. With over sixty years of collaboration in India, Airbus has previously partnered on projects such as the Cheetah, Chetak, and C295 aircraft.
The new H125 assembly line complements TASL’s existing C295 military aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, further illustrating Airbus’ commitment to advancing India’s comprehensive aerospace development, which encompasses design, manufacturing, maintenance, and skill enhancement.
This initiative is poised to open new avenues in civil and para-public markets, while simultaneously addressing the Indian armed forces’ demand for light multi-role helicopters, thereby reinforcing the nation’s strategic and technological self-reliance in the aviation sector.
