Airbus Selects 8 Indian Sites for H125 Helicopter Assembly, First in Private Sector

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Airbus Helicopters has shortlisted eight potential sites in India for establishing a final assembly line (FAL) for its H125 chopper, marking the company’s fourth such facility worldwide. The new production line, a partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is set to be the first private-sector civil helicopter assembly line in India.

The agreement is a significant boost for the Indian aviation sector, reflecting Airbus’s confidence in the country’s burgeoning helicopter market. The new facility, which is expected to commence operations with an initial production of ten helicopters annually, will increase its output as demand grows. Airbus projects a demand for approximately 500 helicopters in India and South Asia over the next 20 years.

Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President of Global Business at Airbus Helicopters, stated that the final decision on the location will be influenced by factors such as employee attraction, industrial suitability, and logistics. The groundbreaking for the new assembly line is anticipated by the end of this year.

The partnership between Airbus and TASL, announced in January 2024, aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative. This initiative aims to bolster strategic defense-industrial cooperation between India and France, following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

This new assembly line will be Airbus’s second facility in India, following a ₹21,935-crore project with TASL to provide 56 C-295 aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The C-295 project is set to deliver 16 planes in flyaway condition, with the remaining assembled in India. The experience gained from this project is expected to benefit the H125 assembly line.

The H125, currently produced only in France, the US, and Brazil, will have its components sourced from various countries: engines and gearboxes from France, airframes from Germany, and tail booms from Spain. TASL will manage major component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, flight controls, hydraulic circuits, fuel systems, and the engine under Airbus’s guidance. The first H125 assembled in India is slated for rollout in 2026.

Jerome Ronssin, who heads Airbus’s light helicopters program, emphasized the goal of replicating the high quality and safety standards of the Marignane production line. The H125 is a versatile helicopter suitable for commercial transport, law enforcement, emergency medical services, disaster management, offshore operations, and firefighting.

With the Indian military helicopter sector largely handled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the entry of private sector production is seen as crucial for meeting growing demand and enhancing India’s position as a global helicopter exporter.

Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), an aviation affairs expert, noted that the private sector’s involvement is essential for the future of India’s helicopter industry and will bolster the country’s visibility in the global market.

Sources By Agencies