Bullish on the growth prospects of the Indian market, aerospace major Airbus plans to manufacture 10 H125 helicopters annually from its final assembly line (FAL), set up in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd in Karnataka, by 2029.
Emphasising that helicopters can serve as instruments of ‘nation building’ as well as public service delivery, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said the company will continue supporting the development of India’s aviation ecosystem. “We strongly believe in the potential of the helicopter market in India, we strongly believe that H125 helicopters can be a key enabler to boost this civil helicopter market in India,” Even said during an interaction in the national capital.
Airbus, along with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), has established the country’s first private-sector helicopter FAL for the H125 at Vemagal in Karnataka. On February 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the facility. According to Even, the first helicopter from the FAL is slated for delivery in early 2027, with annual output gradually increasing to 10 helicopters by 2029. The helicopters produced at the facility will also be exported to markets across South Asia.
The company is also considering manufacturing the military variant of the H125 at the same site. Part of the Ecureuil family, the H125 is a top-selling single-engine helicopter with over 40 million flight hours globally. It is also the most widely used helicopter in India and South Asia and remains the only helicopter to have landed on the summit of Mount Everest, according to Airbus.
Also read: Sensex tumbles 1,236 pts amid escalating geopolitical tensions
By producing the civil H125 and potentially its military version, H125M, in Vemagal, Tata and Airbus aim to provide Indian operators access to advanced technology along with localised maintenance and lifecycle support, thereby maximising fleet availability, a company release said on February 17.
Responding to a query on financing options, Even said Airbus would facilitate discussions around financial solutions for customers in India. Reiterating his view, he said helicopters can significantly contribute to public services, regional connectivity, critical missions and disaster response, especially given the relatively low helicopter penetration in the country.
In the civil segment, more than 100 Airbus helicopters—including H125, H130, H135, Dauphin and H145—are currently operating across various sectors in India. Airbus Helicopters was also the first foreign OEM to set up a dedicated customer centre for the Indian market in 2010, according to its website. Additionally, Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd operate an FAL for C295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat.
Airbus maintains a strong footprint in India, sourcing components and services worth over USD 1.5 billion annually, including complex aerostructures and systems.
Follow us
