Airbus H125 Helicopters to Be Manufactured in Karnataka, Deliveries by 2027

In a landmark move for India’s private defense and aviation sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), in collaboration with Airbus, is set to establish a final assembly line (FAL) for the H125 helicopter at Vemgal, Karnataka. This marks the first time that India’s private sector will manufacture helicopters, a significant milestone in the country’s aerospace journey.

The project will encompass the entire manufacturing cycle — from assembly, integration, and systems installation to testing and final flight trials. The first “Made in India” H125 helicopter is expected to roll out by early 2027. According to officials, these helicopters will serve both civil and defense sectors, offering solutions for missions such as medical evacuation, disaster relief, law enforcement, tourism, and passenger services.

For the armed forces, particularly the Indian Army, the H125 is expected to fill the long-awaited requirement of a lightweight, multi-role helicopter capable of operating in tough high-altitude terrains like the Himalayas. The H125M, a military variant of the model, will also be produced in India with increased indigenous content, poised to replace ageing fleets of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Jürgen Westermeier, President of Airbus India and South Asia, said India is an “ideal market for helicopters” and emphasized that locally produced aircraft will open new opportunities across South Asia. Sukaran Singh, MD and CEO of TASL, added, “Tata is proud to be the first private Indian company manufacturing helicopters. This is a milestone that addresses both civil aviation and defense requirements.”

The H125 FAL follows TASL’s earlier collaboration with Airbus on the C295 military aircraft assembly line in Vadodara, Gujarat. Together, these projects underscore India’s “Make in India” and self-reliance push in aerospace manufacturing, positioning the country as an emerging global hub in the aviation sector.