Airbus and Tata to Establish H125 Helicopter Production Line in India
Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) are finalizing plans to establish a production line for the H125 helicopter in India. The facility will mark the private sector's entry into civil helicopter manufacturing in the country. Four states—Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka—are under consideration, with the site selection expected to be announced shortly.
The facility aims to produce 10 H125 helicopters annually starting in 2026, with capacity to scale based on demand. Airbus projects a market for 500 light helicopters of the H125 class across India and South Asia over the next 20 years.
The H125 helicopter, a 2.8-tonne aircraft with a range of 630 kilometers and a top speed of 250 km/h, is used in commercial transport, law enforcement, emergency services, and disaster management, among other applications. Currently, the model is manufactured in France, the United States, and Brazil.
The collaboration was announced in January 2024 and will involve TASL managing major component assembly, avionics integration, and mission systems installation. Airbus will support the project with technology transfer and personnel training. Key components such as engines and gearboxes will be sourced from France, while additional parts will come from Germany and Spain.
This initiative builds on Airbus’s ongoing projects in India, including a ₹21,935-crore contract with TASL for the Indian Air Force's C-295 transport aircraft. The partnership underscores efforts to enhance aerospace manufacturing capabilities in the region.