Tata Group to manufacture Airbus H125 helicopters from Karnataka

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will set up India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vemagal (Kolar district), Karnataka, to manufacture Airbus’  H125 helicopters.

The project, expected to deliver its first 'Made in India' H125 in early 2027, is being positioned as a game-changer for both the civil and defence rotorcraft market in South Asia.

The new facility will assemble, integrate, test and deliver H125 helicopters for domestic and export markets. Plans also include production of the military variant, H125M, with a high level of indigenous components and technologies to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces, especially in high-altitude operations along the Himalayan frontiers.

“India is an ideal helicopter country. A ‘Made in India’ helicopter will help develop this market and position helicopters as an essential tool for nation-building,” said Jürgen Westermeier, president and managing director, Airbus India and South Asia. “We are extremely glad to be adding this new chapter to our multi-faceted relationship with our trusted partners Tata.”

Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of Tata Advanced Systems Limited, said: “Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private sector company in India to build helicopters. This will bolster both civil and defence requirements. This is our second FAL in collaboration with Airbus and further reinforces the partnership between Tata and Airbus for India.”

The ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopters will support diverse uses including emergency medical services, disaster relief, tourism, law enforcement and passenger transport. The H125M variant will give a decisive push to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence aerospace.

This is the second Airbus aircraft assembly plant being established by Tata after the C295 military aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. Airbus already sources components and services worth about $1.4 billion annually from India, ranging from aircraft doors to helicopter cabin aerostructures.

The H125, part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter with more than 40 million flight hours worldwide. Known for its versatility, the model is used for aerial work, firefighting, rescue missions, air ambulance services, law enforcement, passenger transport and more. It holds the distinction of being the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest, underlining its capability to operate in extreme environments.