Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) are joining forces to establish India's first private sector assembly line for civil helicopters, marking a significant step forward in the country's "Make in India" initiative. The joint venture has shortlisted four locations across India for the facility, with a final decision expected soon.
The shortlisted sites are located in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Factors influencing the final decision include employee attractiveness, suitability for industrial activity, and the strength of the local logistics ecosystem.
The assembly line will initially produce 10 H125 helicopters per year, with plans to ramp up production as orders increase. Airbus Helicopters projects a demand for 500 light helicopters in the H125 class within India and South Asia over the next 20 years.
This partnership, announced in January 2024 during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, will see TASL handle major component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, and other critical aspects of the helicopter's production, with support and guidance from Airbus Helicopters.
The H125, a versatile single-engine helicopter capable of carrying up to six passengers, is currently produced only in France, the US, and Brazil. This new facility in India will be the fourth such assembly line globally.
This venture marks the second collaboration between Airbus and TASL in India. They are already jointly executing a project to equip the Indian Air Force (IAF) with 56 C-295 transport aircraft. The first 16 C-295s are being delivered in flyaway condition, while the remaining 40 will be assembled at a Tata facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The Airbus-Tata partnership is a significant boost to India's aerospace industry, demonstrating the country's growing capabilities in manufacturing advanced aircraft. The establishment of this new helicopter assembly line will not only contribute to India's self-reliance in defence but also create skilled jobs and boost the local economy.
