Airbus on Tuesday announced the inauguration of India’s first private-sector helicopter final assembly line for the H125, a move it said would strengthen the country’s civil and defence vertical-lift capabilities and advance New Delhi’s self-reliance drive in aerospace.

The facility, operated by Tata Advanced Systems Limited, was inaugurated virtually by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, Airbus said in a statement. The final assembly line (FAL) is located at Vemagal in the southern state of Karnataka.

Airbus said the site will assemble the civil H125 helicopter and could also produce its military variant, the H125M, marking the first time India’s private sector undertakes the manufacturing, integration, testing, and maintenance of a modern rotary-wing platform domestically.

“This facility reflects the growing depth of India’s industrial capabilities and the strength of our long-standing partnership with Airbus,” Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran was quoted as saying, adding that the programme represents a “landmark step” towards aerospace self-reliance.

Bruno Even, chief executive of Airbus Helicopters, said the FAL would deliver a “Made in India” platform tailored to the country’s demanding geography. He added that the line could also produce the H125M with a level of local manufacturing aimed at keeping Indian forces mission-ready while supporting the development of the civil helicopter market.

According to Airbus, the locally built H125 is expected to support emergency medical services, disaster response, law enforcement, and regional connectivity under India’s UDAN scheme, while the H125M is designed for high-altitude reconnaissance, logistics, search-and-rescue, and medical evacuation missions.

The H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter and the only model to have landed on the summit of Mount Everest, Airbus said, underscoring its performance in high-and-hot environments common across the subcontinent. The manufacturer said the first India-assembled H125 is expected to be delivered in early 2027, with export potential across South Asia.

The programme is the second major industrial collaboration between Tata and Airbus in India, following the assembly line for C295 military transport aircraft, and forms part of Airbus’ broader strategy to expand manufacturing, maintenance, and sourcing in the country.

Airbus said it currently sources more than $1.5 billion worth of components and services annually from India, integrating local suppliers into its global supply chain. 

Source: Airbus Press Release