![SDF (1)](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-107170071,width-600,resizemode-4/107170071.jpg)
The FAL will take 24 months to install and deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 are expected to begin in 2026. The location of the FAL will be decided jointly by Airbus and the Tata Group. This will be the first example of setting up a helicopter manufacturing facility by the private sector in India. This will be the second final assembly line being built by Airbus in India after the ‘Make in India’ C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara.
The announcement was made during French President Emmanuel Macron’s two-day visit to India as the chief guest of the Republic Day celebrations. The FAL in India will undertake major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, integration of fuel systems and engines. It will also test, qualify and deliver the H125 to customers in India and the region.
Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, said: “Helicopters are vital for nation building. The ‘Made in India’ civil helicopter will not only symbolize a confident new India, but will also unleash the true potential of the helicopter market in the country. This helicopter FAL, which we will build together with our trusted partner Tata, is an affirmation of Airbus’ commitment to developing the full spectrum of the aerospace ecosystem in India.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said, “The Tata Group is pleased to set up India’s first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector. The facility will have a final assembly line in partnership with Airbus for the world’s best-selling Airbus H125 single engine helicopter for the Indian and export markets.
The Indian-made H125 is expected to boost the use of helicopters in the country. This multi-mission workhorse will revolutionize passenger and cargo transportation and will also be used for areas such as emergency medical services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, tourism and air task missions. Providing last mile connectivity in remote areas, H125 will significantly contribute to the regional connectivity scheme of the Government of India – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) which will further boost the tourism sector in the country.
The H125 is the world’s best-selling single engine helicopter. This high-performance, versatile helicopter is a member of Airbus’s Ecureuil family, which has accumulated more than 38 million flight hours worldwide. It can operate high and in hot and extreme environments and can be easily reconfigured for various missions including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transportation and many more. The H125 is the only helicopter to land on Mount Everest.
“The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility will be the second FAL to be set up by Airbus in India, leveraging TASL’s capabilities in aerospace and defence. Both companies are manufacturing the C295 military transport aircraft FAL in Vadodara, Gujarat. The latest announcement from Airbus is part of ‘the effort to develop a holistic aerospace ecosystem in India, where the company will provide support to aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering and digital design and development, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training as well as academic collaboration to boost human capital. Airbus is expanding its industrial footprint with: Airbus said in a statement.