PM Modi says India–France to build first helicopter flying to the heights of Mount Everest

PM Modi meets French President Macron in Mumbai (Image X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the inauguration of a new helicopter assembly line in India as a sign of “deep trust” between India and France, saying the partnership between the two nations now has “no boundaries.”

Modi said the joint project would manufacture in India what he described as the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest, adding that the aircraft would also be exported globally.

PM Modi and French President Macron virtually inaugurated assembly line for production of Airbus H125 helicopters at Vemagal in Karnataka.

“Today, the inauguration of the helicopter assembly line in India is another shining example of this deep trust. We are proud that India and France together will manufacture in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest. And this will also be exported across the world. That means the India–France partnership has no boundaries. It can reach from the deep oceans to the tallest mountains,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi underlined that the collaboration reflects growing strategic and industrial cooperation between India and France, particularly in high-technology and defence manufacturing.

The new assembly line is expected to strengthen India’s position as a global aerospace manufacturing hub while deepening bilateral ties between the two countries.