Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has opened India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line for the Airbus H125 at its facility in Vemagal, Karnataka. The inauguration was held virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Senior leaders attending the ceremony in Vemagal included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, France’s Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, and executives from Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. The new facility marks an important step in India’s aerospace manufacturing journey. It is the first time a private Indian company will carry out assembly, integration, testing, and support for a modern helicopter platform within the country. The plant will produce the civil Airbus H125 helicopter, with the possibility of assembling its military version, the H125M, in the future.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, said the project reflects India’s progress in building advanced aerospace capability and strengthens Tata’s partnership with Airbus. Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even added that the facility will help bring a proven helicopter platform to Indian operators with local production and support, improving availability and service readiness.
The H125 helicopter is widely used worldwide for emergency medical services, law enforcement, disaster response, and tourism. Locally assembled helicopters will support these roles in India while contributing to regional connectivity programmes such as UDAN. The H125M variant can also support military operations including reconnaissance, logistics in high-altitude areas, and search-and-rescue missions.
Known for its high-altitude performance, the H125 once landed on Mount Everest’s summit, highlighting its capability in challenging environments. The aircraft is also the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter and a popular choice in India and South Asia. The first H125 assembled in India is expected to be delivered in early 2027, with potential exports across the region.
This project is the second major collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus after the C295 military transport aircraft assembly line, further strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. Airbus develops advanced aerospace solutions focused on safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The company designs and manufactures commercial aircraft, defence and space systems, and related services.
Airbus is a major player in global aviation and a European leader in defence and space technologies. In helicopters, the company provides civil and military rotorcraft and support services to customers around the world.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is a leading aerospace and defence company in India. The company provides integrated solutions across aerostructures and aeroengines, airborne platforms and systems, defence and security, and land mobility.
Tata Advanced Systems works with several global aerospace and defence companies through partnerships and joint ventures, contributing to international supply chains and, in some cases, serving as a dedicated supplier to major original equipment manufacturers. With strong engineering capabilities, manufacturing capacity, and technical expertise, the company delivers solutions across the entire aerospace and defence lifecycle, from design and development to full platform assembly.
Its capabilities cover a wide range of technologies, including missiles, radars, unmanned aerial systems, artillery systems, command and control solutions, optronics, homeland security technologies, and protected mobility platforms.
