Airbus expands ‘made in India’ program with ‘Airbus Helicopters’ deal

Airbus is expanding its “Made in India” initiative through a collaboration with the Tata Group, leading to the establishment of a new Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India for Airbus Helicopters.

This initiative aligns with India’s goal of achieving self-reliance, which is already evident in the assembly of Airbus C295 military aircraft in the country.

Notably, this marks the first instance of a private sector company establishing a helicopter manufacturing facility in India. The facility will focus on assembling the Airbus H125 Helicopter for clients in India and for export to the broader region.

The H125, renowned as the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, is well-suited for mountainous terrains, having achieved the distinction of being the only helicopter to land on Everest.

N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, expressed enthusiasm about this milestone, stating, “The Tata Group is delighted to set up India’s first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector. This facility will have the final assembly line in partnership with Airbus for the world’s bestselling Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter for the Indian as well as export markets.”

The establishment of the final assembly line is anticipated to take approximately two years, with the first “Made in India” H125 helicopters expected to be delivered in 2026.

Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, emphasized the significance of helicopters in nation-building, stating, “Helicopters are crucial for nation-building. A ‘Made-in-India’ civil helicopter will not only be a symbol of the confident New India but will also unlock the true potential of the helicopter market in the country.” Faury also highlighted that this assembly line, developed in collaboration with Tata, is a testament to Airbus’ commitment to fostering the complete aerospace ecosystem in India. Notably, this will be the second final assembly line established by Airbus in India, following the “Make in India” C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.