MRO & Manufacturing
Tata and Airbus Open India’s First Private H125 Helicopter Assembly Line
Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus inaugurate India’s first private-sector H125 helicopter final assembly line in Karnataka with deliveries starting in 2027.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Helicopters have officially inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the Airbus H125. Located in Vemagal, Karnataka, the facility represents a significant expansion of the aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in India, following the partners’ previous collaboration on the C295 military transport aircraft.
The inauguration ceremony, held on February 17, 2026, was conducted virtually by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The event underscores the deepening strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris, particularly in the defense and aerospace sectors. On the ground in Vemagal, the ceremony was attended by senior officials including Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, and Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even.
According to the official announcement, this facility will produce the H125 helicopter for both civil and military markets in India and the wider South Asian region. The first “Made in India” H125 is scheduled for delivery in early 2027, marking a shift from direct imports to localized manufacturing for this widely used rotary-wing platform.
The new Final Assembly Line is situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka, approximately two hours from Bengaluru. Reports indicate that the program investment is expected to exceed ₹1,000 crore. The facility is designed to handle the complete assembly, testing, and qualification of the helicopters before delivery.
Initial production capacity is set at 10 helicopters per year. However, TASL and Airbus have stated that the plant is scalable and can ramp up to 50 units per year depending on market demand. This scalability is crucial as Airbus projects a demand for approximately 500 H125-class helicopters in India and South Asia over the next two decades.
A key component of this project is the “Make in India” initiative. While the H125 is a French-designed platform, the manufacturing process in India will involve significant local content. Notably, Mahindra Aerostructures has been awarded a contract to manufacture the fuselage, the airframe skeleton, in Bengaluru. This ensures that critical structural components are produced locally rather than merely assembled from imported kits.
“This facility reflects the growing depth of India’s industrial capabilities… marking the first time the Indian private sector will undertake the manufacturing of a sophisticated rotary-wing platform.”
, N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons
The Airbus H125 (formerly the AS350 B3e) is a single-engine light utility helicopter renowned for its high-altitude performance. It holds the world record for the highest-altitude landing and takeoff, having successfully landed on the summit of Mount Everest at 8,848 meters. This capability makes it particularly relevant for operations in India’s Himalayan borders.
The Vemagal facility will produce two primary variants:
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even highlighted the strategic importance of the military version, noting that the facility will ensure Indian armed forces remain “mission-ready” with localized support and maintenance.
The inauguration of the H125 FAL introduces a new dynamic to the Indian helicopter market, which has historically been dominated by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). By entering the private sector, the Tata-Airbus partnership aims to introduce greater efficiency and competition.
The H125 will likely compete with and complement HAL’s indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). While the HAL LUH is a homegrown platform designed specifically for the Siachen Glacier’s requirements (6,500m+), the H125 brings a proven global track record with over 40 million flight hours. The H125 offers a higher maximum speed (~252 km/h) compared to the LUH (~235 km/h), though the indigenous platform may offer advantages in payload capacity and lifecycle costs due to its domestic IP.
Furthermore, the facility is positioned as an export hub. The H125’s suitability for mountainous terrain makes it an attractive option for neighboring nations such as Nepal and Bhutan, potentially expanding India’s footprint as a defense exporter in South Asia.
When will the first helicopter be delivered? Is this the first Tata-Airbus manufacturing facility in India? What is the production capacity of the new plant?
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Frequently Asked Questions
The first “Made in India” H125 is scheduled for delivery in early 2027.
No. This is the second Final Assembly Line established by the partnership. The first was the C295 military transport aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The plant will start with a capacity of 10 helicopters per year, scalable to 50 units per year.Sources
Photo Credit: Airbus