Airbus Helicopters announced its collaboration with Tata Group to set up a final assembly line for helicopters in India. During the launch event of its H145 helicopter for offshore energy sectors, Airbus Helicopters India and South Asia chief Sunny Guglani expressed optimism about this mature segment.
The partnership aims to identify a suitable location for the assembly line, which will start with the production of three helicopters in 2026, followed by an increase in manufacturing. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd., a Tata Group subsidiary, will spearhead the facility setup alongside Airbus Helicopters.
This initiative marks Airbus’ second manufacturing facility in India after the C295 military aircraft facility in Gujarat under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The new assembly line will produce Airbus H125 helicopters for both the Indian market and neighboring countries.
The facility will integrate major components, avionics, and mission systems, ensuring comprehensive assembly and testing of helicopters. The H125 helicopters will serve various sectors including emergency medical services, disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, and aerial work missions.
Airbus Helicopters highlighted that the introduction of the H145 into offshore operations through a partnership with Heligo Charters Pvt Ltd. marks a significant milestone. Heligo Charters will utilize these helicopters for transporting personnel and materials to offshore locations for Oil and Natural Gas Corp.
“The H145 is designed for versatility and reliability, especially in challenging environments like offshore oil and gas platforms,” Guglani remarked, emphasizing its technological superiority and operational efficiency.
This collaboration is expected to enhance regional connectivity and promote tourism, aligning with India’s ‘UDAN’ regional connectivity scheme. The initiative underscores a strategic move towards boosting indigenous manufacturing capabilities in the aviation sector.
