Airbus Helicopters has partnered with the Mumbai-based Tata Group's Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to establish a final assembly line (FAL) for helicopters in India. The FAL will produce Airbus' H125 helicopter from its civil range for India as well as exporting to some neighbouring countries. The facility will take around two years to be set up with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.
"This will be the second final assembly line Airbus is building in India after the ‘Make in India’ C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat," said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.
The FAL will be the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India. The facility will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system and the engine. It will also be responsible for testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125.
The exact location of the FAL facility is yet to be determined and will be jointly decided by the partnership companies.