By Staff Correspondent
Airbus Helicopters and the Tata Group have joined together to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in India, which is a huge boon to the “Make in India” initiative. The FAL will manufacture the best-selling H125 helicopter from Airbus’ civil line for India and its neighbours.
The Indian government’s “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative will receive a significant boost from the FAL, which will be the country’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing plant. As part of this collaboration, Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a division of Tata Group, will establish the facility.
During his two-day visit to India, French President Emmanuel Macron made the statement on January 26 during the Republic Day celebrations.
The principal component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system, engine, and fuel system installation will be handled by the FAL in India. In addition to selling the H125 to clients in India and the surrounding area, it will also qualify it and test it. It is anticipated that the first ‘Made in India’ H125s would begin delivery in 2026 after the FAL has been operational for 24 months. Airbus and the Tata Group will collaborate to choose the FAL’s site.
Nation development relies heavily on helicopters. In addition to symbolizing the self-assured New India, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury believes that a “Made-in-India” civil helicopter will unleash the full potential of India’s helicopter sector. Airbus is reiterating its dedication to strengthening the whole aerospace ecosystem in India with the construction of this helicopter final assembly plant in collaboration with our reliable partner Tata. Following the ‘Make in India’ C295 military aircraft production plant in Vadodara, Gujarat, this would be Airbus’s second and last assembly line to be built in India.
“The Tata Group is delighted to set up India’s first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector,” stated N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons. For both domestic and international sales, this plant will house the last manufacturing line for the Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter, the best-selling model in the world.
The Indian-made H125, which is unrivaled in its class, will spur the country’s adoption of helicopters. Emergency medical services (HEMS), crisis management, tourism, law enforcement, and aerial work missions are just a few of the many uses for this versatile workhorse, which will transform the transportation industry for both people and cargo. The H125 would greatly aid the Indian government’s regional connectivity programme, Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN), which will boost the country’s tourist industry by connecting outlying locations with the rest of the network.
There is no better single-engine helicopter than the H125, which has sold more units than any other model in its class. The Ecureuil family of helicopters, of which this model is a part, has recorded over 38 million flight hours globally and is known for its great performance and versatility. It is easily adaptable for a wide range of tasks, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, and more, and it can operate in extremely hot and harsh situations.
Airbus plans to use TASL’s expertise in aerospace and military to build a second FAL in India, this one for helicopters. Vadodara, Gujarat is where the C295 military transport aircraft FAL is being built by the two firms.
Airbus is increasing its industrial footprint in India through aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering, digital design and development, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training, academic collaboration to cultivate human capital, and the most recent announcement is a part of this effort.
