Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter’s final assembly line for the Airbus H125 at Vemagal, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
This facility was inaugurated virtually by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and the President of France, Mr Emmanuel Macron.
Gracing this event in Vemagal were the Honourable Defence Minister of the Government of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Honourable Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of the Government of France, Ms. Catherine Vautrin, and the Honourable Minister for Civil Aviation of the Government of India, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. Also present on site were the TASL and Airbus senior leadership teams.
This partnership is a watershed for ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) in Indian aerospace. This marks the first time the Indian private sector will undertake the manufacturing, integration, testing, and maintenance of a sophisticated Indian rotary wing platform. By building the civil H125 and potentially its military variant, the H125M, in Vemegal, Tata and Airbus ensure that Indian operators have immediate access to world-class technology. The launch is with localised maintenance and lifecycle support, maximising helicopter availability.
We are proud to establish the H125 Helicopter Assembly Line, a first in the Indian private sector. It is a landmark step in the nation’s journey toward self-reliance in aerospace and defence. This facility reflects the growing depth of India’s industrial capabilities, together with the long-standing partnership with Airbus. In partnership, we are contributing to the creation of a globally competitive Indian aerospace ecosystem, said Chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran.
The inauguration of the H125 FAL is a defining step toward India’s prioritised civil and defence sovereignty. This is relevant to India’s vertical lift capabilities. Establishing this facility with the Tata Group, Airbus is offering the Indian market a versatile and competitive platform with unrivalled performance that comes within the ‘made in India’ concept. It is tailored for missions across the country’s unique topography, said the CEO of Airbus Helicopters, Bruno Even. The FAL will also be able to later produce the military version, H125M, with a level of local manufacturing. This would ensure the Indian forces remain mission-ready at all times. It will also be a game-changer for the development of the civil helicopter market, added Even.
The ‘made in India’ H125 is set to become an essential tool for nation-building by supporting the development of critical and para-public market segments. This would include emergency medical service and disaster management, as well as law enforcement and regional connectivity. These initiatives would be under the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme. The scheme, known as UDAN, aims to bridge the last mile for tourism and passenger transport.
The H125M is optimised to function as a high-altitude force multiplier. This is across a spectrum of critical missions. This versatile platform is designed to excel in tactical reconnaissance and surveillance. Its effectiveness is by leveraging its low acoustic and thermal signatures. In addition, the H125M provides a decisive edge in high-altitude logistics. Such an aircraft would ensure the delivery of vital supplies to remote frontline outposts. It would also serve as a rapid-response asset for search and rescue and medical evacuation operations.
The H125 is also the only helicopter in history to have landed on the summit of Mount Everest. It moves with a performance ceiling that exceeds existing light-utility fleets. The Indian military operates in some of the most challenging high-and-hot global environments. As such, this performance may be a critical differentiator.
The H125 is currently the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter. It is a member of the Ecureuil family. It has accumulated more than 40 million flight hours worldwide. The H125 is also presently the most popular helicopter in India, besides South Asia. The 1st ‘made in India’ H125 is expected to be delivered early in 2027. It would also be available for export across the South Asian region.
