Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited Launch ‘Made in India’ H125 Helicopter Project
New Delhi: Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have announced a new era in Indian aviation with the launch of a project to manufacture the H125 helicopter in India. The Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the H125 helicopters will be set up in Vemagal, Karnataka, marking a significant milestone in the Indian aerospace industry.
Key Highlights
The ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter is expected to unlock the full potential of the rotorcraft market in South Asia, with plans to develop new civil and para-public market segments. The helicopter will also meet the Indian armed forces’ requirement for a light multi-role helicopter, especially on the icy heights of the country’s Himalayan frontiers. A military version, the H125M, will be offered out of this Indian factory with high levels of indigenized components and technologies.
Benefits and Applications
The ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopters can be used for important services like emergency medical flights, disaster relief, tourism, and law enforcement. The H125M can decisively boost India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ ambition in the field of military helicopter manufacturing by expanding the existing ecosystem. The project is expected to help India’s aviation industry grow, especially in civil and defence applications.
Partnership and Commitment
The partnership between Airbus and TASL demonstrates a long-term commitment to developing a holistic aerospace ecosystem in India. Airbus has a strong presence in India, with a relationship spanning over sixty years. The company sources components and services worth about $1.4 billion every year from India, including complex systems such as aircraft doors and helicopter cabin aerostructures.
H125 Helicopter
The H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter that outclasses other helicopters in its category. It is a high-performing versatile helicopter that can operate in high-and-hot and extreme environments and can be easily reconfigured for various missions. The H125 has accumulated more than 40 million flight hours worldwide and is the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest, demonstrating its agility in operating in high altitude, extreme environments.
Timeline
The delivery of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected in early 2027, with the helicopter also being available for exports in the South Asian region. This project is a significant step towards achieving the goal of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and will help India’s aviation industry grow in the coming years.
