Airbus H125 Helicopters: India's First Private Choppers To Be Build By Tata Group In Karnataka - Check When Is The First Delivery

In a landmark step for India’s aerospace and defence industry, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) to manufacture Airbus H125 helicopters. The facility, to be set up at Vemagal, Karnataka, marks a major expansion of Tata Group’s footprint in aviation manufacturing and is expected to deliver its first “Made in India” H125 in early 2027, said a report by ET.A Milestone for India’s Aerospace SectorThe project represents a strategic extension of Tata Group’s aerospace capabilities, making it the first private company in India to build helicopters. The move also deepens Tata’s long-standing partnership with Airbus, which already includes the assembly of C295 military

aircraft at Vadodara, Gujarat, reported ET.The Karnataka-based facility will handle complete assembly, integration, and testing of structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. It will also conduct final flight trials before handing over the aircraft to customers.Addressing Civil & Defence NeedsThe H125 helicopter, known globally as the best-selling single-engine rotorcraft, will serve a wide range of applications in India, including:

• Emergency medical services
• Disaster relief operations
• Tourism and passenger transport
• Law enforcement and surveillance
• Search and rescue missions

For defence, TASL also plans to manufacture the H125M, a military version of the helicopter, with high levels of indigenisation. This variant is expected to replace India’s ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, particularly valuable for high-altitude missions in the Himalayas.Exports & Regional FocusApart from catering to India’s civil and defence markets, the Karnataka plant will also export H125 helicopters to South Asia, positioning India as a manufacturing hub for next-generation rotorcraft in the region.“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.Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, added, “This is our second Final Assembly Line with Airbus and further strengthens the Tata-Airbus partnership. TASL now has the capability to deliver both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to meet the nation’s requirements.”Airbus & India: A 60-Year PartnershipAirbus has been associated with India since the 1960s, starting with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. Currently, Airbus sources more than $1.4 billion worth of components annually from India, including advanced aircraft doors, flap-track beams, and helicopter cabin aerostructures.The company has also announced plans to set up an R&D centre in India, further underscoring its long-term commitment to the country’s aerospace ecosystem.About the Airbus H125

• Best-selling single-engine helicopter worldwide
• Only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest
• High performance in extreme, high-altitude, and hot environments
• Easily reconfigurable for multiple missions: aerial work, firefighting, rescue, law enforcement, air ambulance, and passenger transport
• Over 40 million flight hours accumulated globally

The Tata-Airbus collaboration for the H125 not only positions India as a global hub for helicopter manufacturing but also strengthens its Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) vision in defence. With exports planned and domestic defence demand rising, the Vemagal facility is expected to become a critical pillar in India’s aerospace ambitions.