‘Made-in-India’ H125 Helicopter Moves Closer to Reality

Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have taken a significant step forward in establishing a ‘Made-in-India’ H125 helicopter, formalizing a contract to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India. This development, announced at the Farnborough Airshow 2024, marks the first time the private sector will set up a helicopter assembly facility in the country.

The contract follows an earlier announcement made in January by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and Tata Sons Chairperson N. Chandrasekaran in New Delhi. The move is expected to address the growing demand for single-engine helicopters in South Asia, with projections indicating a need for around 500 such helicopters over the next two decades.

India, deemed an ideal country for helicopter operations, stands to benefit significantly from this initiative. The ‘Made-in-India’ H125 is set to open new civil and parapublic markets, including Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Additionally, it will bring substantial advancements to private aerospace manufacturing in India.

Rémi Maillard, President & Managing Director of Airbus India & South Asia, expressed pride in this pioneering journey, stating, “We are proud to be partnering with our trusted partner Tata to promote the use of helicopters for nation-building.”

This collaboration between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited underscores the commitment to enhancing India’s aerospace capabilities and supporting the nation’s growth through innovative and localized manufacturing solutions.