BENGALURU, Oct 1: India’s first helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) from the private sector is set to take off in Karnataka, with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) establishing the facility in Vemagal to produce Airbus H125 helicopters. The move is expected to unlock the full potential of the rotorcraft market across South Asia.
Jurgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, said, “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.”
Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of TASL, emphasised that the project will bolster both civil and defense requirements, reinforcing the partnership between Tata and Airbus for India.
The ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopters aim to expand civil and para-public market segments while fulfilling the Indian armed forces’ demand for a light multi-role helicopter, particularly suited for operations in the icy heights of the Himalayan frontiers.
Plans also include a military variant, the H125M, featuring a high degree of indigenised components and technologies, produced out of the Vemagal facility.
TASL’s entry into helicopter manufacturing is a strategic extension of its aerospace and defense capabilities. The company will undertake manufacturing and testing of H125 helicopters, including assembly, integration, and testing of structural, mechanical, and electrical systems and components into a complete helicopter, along with the final flight tests required before delivery to customers.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to India’s aviation industry, especially in civil and defence applications. The ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopters can be used for essential services like emergency medical flights, disaster relief, tourism, and law enforcement. The H125M variant is poised to boost India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ ambition in military helicopter manufacturing by expanding the existing ecosystem.
Deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 are scheduled for early 2027, with the helicopter also poised for export to neighbouring South Asian countries, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation and defense manufacturing capabilities.
(UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
