TASL CEO Sukaran Singh (R) and Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even shake hands after the signing of the deal between the two companies. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters)
New Delhi: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Helicopters have signed a formal contract to establish a final assembly line (FAL) for H125 helicopters in India, the two companies announced on Tuesday. This marks a significant step forward for the Indian aerospace industry, with the FAL becoming the first of its kind in the private sector.
The agreement, formalized at the Farnborough International Airshow, will see the best-selling H125 helicopter produced for the Indian and neighbouring markets. The project was first announced in January by the Airbus CEO, Guillaume Faury, and the Tata Sons chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
After the agreement, Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL, said: “This collaboration aligns perfectly with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and will bolster India’s helicopter manufacturing capabilities.”
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, added: “We believe a ‘Made in India’ H125 will unlock the helicopter market’s full potential.”
The FAL will assemble major components, avionics, and systems, before rigorous testing and qualification. Deliveries of the first Indian-built H125s are expected in 2026. The location of the FAL will be announced shortly.
The H125, which was earlier known as Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil, is renowned for its versatility and performance, having even landed on Mount Everest. It is ideally suited to a range of roles, including air ambulance, law enforcement, and passenger transport.
