India-based aerospace and defence solutions provider Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has formalised a contract with Airbus Helicopters to establish an H125 final assembly line (FAL) in India. The FAL will be the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter assembly facility in India, which will produce Airbus' best-selling H125 helicopter from its civil range for India and its neighbouring countries.

The contract was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. The setting up of the FAL was announced on 26 January this year by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran.

“We are pleased to partner with Airbus to establish the final assembly line for H125 helicopters in India. This collaboration, built on TASL's expertise in airborne platforms and the strength of our ongoing partnership with the Airbus Group, aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and addresses India's growing helicopter market potential. The project will enhance helicopter manufacturing capabilities in India and support the growth of civil aviation in India,” says Tata CEO and managing director Sukaran Singh.

“India is a country with great potential for helicopters, and we believe that there is no better way to unlock this promising market than with a ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter. We are confident that a locally assembled helicopter will open new civil and parapublic markets such as helicopter emergency medical services and other public services, making helicopters a critical component of nation-building. We are delighted that we are embarking on this pioneering journey with our trusted partner the Tata Group, with whom Airbus already has a multi-faceted partnership,” says Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

The FAL will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system and the engine. It will also perform testing and qualification of the helicopters.

Helicopters assembled at this FAL will be delivered to customers in India and its neighbouring countries. The deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to commence in 2026. Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Helicopters are well advanced in their joint selection of the location of the FAL, which will be communicated soon.