Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, February 17 virtually inaugurated an assembly line for Airbus H125 helicopters
at Vemagal in Karnataka, marking a major step in India–France industrial and defence-technology cooperation. The facility will produce the single-engine H125 in India, strengthening local aerospace manufacturing, supporting exports and deepening collaboration between Indian and French industries under the broader push for joint innovation and “Make in India” production. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the H125 Light Utility Helicopter.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurate the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly of Tata Airbus at Vemagal, Karnataka.
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2026
(Source: DD/ANI) pic.twitter.com/MDONC4P2PR
Speaking on the H-125 helicopter, PM Modi said, "India, France will manufacture in India a helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest", making it an ideal choice for the country's high-altitude Himalayan frontiers and icy border regions.
The advanced facility, set up as a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus, underscores a deepening of the India–France strategic partnership and signals a fresh push for domestic aerospace manufacturing. It is the second assembly line that the two partners are establishing together, following the C295 military transport aircraft plant in Gujarat's Vadodara.
All About H-125 Chopper
The H125 is a member of Airbus’ rugged and proven Ecureuil family. Over 7,200 members of the Ecureuil family (AS350, AS355, AS550, AS555, H125, H125M, EC130, H130) have been delivered in 137 countries to more than 2,600 operators. Together, these rotorcraft have accumulated more than 40 million flight hours.
With built-in manoeuvrability, excellent visibility and low vibration levels in the cabin, the H125 has earned its reputation as a true multi-mission workhorse – becoming a common sight at heliports, hospital landing pads, police department operations centres and airports around the world.
The H125 provides enhanced safety and reduced workload for pilots with its touchscreen glass cockpit instrument panel, which incorporates the Garmin G500H TXi avionics suite and Vehicle & Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) developed for Airbus. The VEMD enables pilots to monitor the main vehicle and engine parameters at a glance. The helicopter’s wireless connection automatically transfers flight data at the end of each flight.
