India’s first helicopter final assembly line in the private sector will come up at Vemagal in Kolar district of Karnataka.

The assembly line will be established by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to build the Airbus H125 helicopters.

For Himalayan frontiers

According to Airbus and TASL, the ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter will help develop new civil and para-public market segments, and also meet the Indian armed force’s requirement for a light multi-role helicopter, especially on the icy heights of the country’s Himalayan frontiers.

“Plans include a military version, the H125M, to be offered out of this Indian factory with high levels of indigenised components and technologies,” according to Airbus and TASL.

The delivery of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected in early 2027. The helicopter will be available for export in the South Asian region as well.

“India is an ideal helicopter country. A ‘Made in India’ helicopter will help develop this market, and position helicopters as an essential tool for nation-building. We are extremely glad to be adding this new chapter to our multi-faceted relationship with our trusted partners Tata,” said Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia.

Second plant

The H125 final assembly line is the second Airbus aircraft assembly plant Tata Advanced Systems is building in India, after the C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara.

“Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private sector company in India to build helicopters. This will bolster both civil and defence requirements. This is our second FAL in collaboration with Airbus and further reinforces the partnership between Tata and Airbus for India. Tata Advanced Systems is well placed in the Indian aerospace sector with capability to build and deliver fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters for the nation’s requirements,” said Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited.