Airbus, Tata partners to set up India’s first private helicopter assembly line
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New Delhi, Jan 27: In a major boost to Make in India, European aerospace major Airbus and the Tata Group will build a final assembly line (FAL) for helicopters in India to produce the aircraft manufacturer’s best-selling H125 civil chopper.
“Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters,” Airbus said Friday while announcing the deal. The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
Airbus and the Tata group said the location of the proposed facility will be jointly decided by the two partners, without giving further details on the sites that may be under consideration. The two also did not provide financial details about the project.
“The FAL in India 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 do testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the region. The FAL will take 24 months to set up and deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to commence in 2026,” Airbus said.
The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility will be the second aircraft FAL to be established in India by Airbus and TASL. The two are already building an FAL in Gujarat’s Vadodara to produce the C295 military transport aircraft.
Airbus expects the H125 production in India to “catalyse” the use of helicopters in the country. The company expects the helicopter to “revolutionise” passenger and goods transportation in India, along with increasing use segments like emergency medical services, disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, aerial work missions, and even regional air connectivity.
“Providing last mile connectivity to remote areas, the H125 will significantly contribute to the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme—Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) that will further promote the tourism sector in the country,” Airbus said.
Helicopter use in India lags many other countries where choppers are routinely used for some purposes. India’s massive population and notable economic growth make it an attractive potential market for increased civil helicopter use.
“The H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter that outclasses other helicopters in its category. This high-performing versatile helicopter is a member of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has accumulated more than 38 million flight hours worldwide. It can operate in high-and-hot and extreme environments and can be easily reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, and many others,” Airbus said.
This will be India’s first helicopter final assembly line to be set up by private sector players. The helicopters produced at the facility, which is expected to take about two years to be built, will be for the Indian market as well as for export to a few countries in India’s neighborhood.
“Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters,” Airbus said Friday while announcing the deal. The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
Airbus and the Tata group said the location of the proposed facility will be jointly decided by the two partners, without giving further details on the sites that may be under consideration. The two also did not provide financial details about the project.
“The FAL in India 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 do testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the region. The FAL will take 24 months to set up and deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to commence in 2026,” Airbus said.
The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility will be the second aircraft FAL to be established in India by Airbus and TASL. The two are already building an FAL in Gujarat’s Vadodara to produce the C295 military transport aircraft.
“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting indigenous manufacturing and will also give a major boost to our economy by creating diverse opportunities for employment and job creation, unlocking the potential of the Indian aerospace sector, and further solidifying Indo-France relations,” Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia posted on X (formerly Twitter).
India's growing aviation prowess!
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) January 26, 2024
A historic day as @TataCompanies and Airbus join forces to establish India’s first private sector Helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for producing H125 helicopters.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting indigenous… https://t.co/rUah2J85lc
Airbus expects the H125 production in India to “catalyse” the use of helicopters in the country. The company expects the helicopter to “revolutionise” passenger and goods transportation in India, along with increasing use segments like emergency medical services, disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, aerial work missions, and even regional air connectivity.
“Providing last mile connectivity to remote areas, the H125 will significantly contribute to the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme—Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) that will further promote the tourism sector in the country,” Airbus said.
Helicopter use in India lags many other countries where choppers are routinely used for some purposes. India’s massive population and notable economic growth make it an attractive potential market for increased civil helicopter use.
“The H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter that outclasses other helicopters in its category. This high-performing versatile helicopter is a member of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has accumulated more than 38 million flight hours worldwide. It can operate in high-and-hot and extreme environments and can be easily reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, and many others,” Airbus said.