Tata and Airbus Team Up to Build Helicopters in India
Farnborough [UK], July 23: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus Helicopters have signed a contract to establish the H125 Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India. This will be the first private sector helicopter assembly facility in the country, producing Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter for India and neighboring countries.
TASL is India’s leading private sector player for aerospace and defense solutions. The FAL was announced on January 26 by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran. The contract was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2024.
The FAL will handle the installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system, engine, and avionics and mission systems. It will also test and certify the helicopters.
Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, said, “We are pleased to partner with Airbus to establish the final assembly line for H125 helicopters in India. This collaboration aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and addresses India’s growing helicopter market potential.”
Indian customers and those in neighboring nations will receive helicopters produced at the FAL, with the first deliveries expected in 2026. The location of the FAL will be announced soon.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, stated, “India is a country with great potential for helicopters, and we believe that a ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter will open new civil and parapublic markets. We are delighted to embark on this journey with our trusted partner, the Tata Group.”
The H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its high performance and versatility. It is part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has accumulated over 40 million flight hours worldwide. The H125 can operate in extreme environments and is used for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, and passenger transport. It is the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest.
Doubts Revealed
Tata -: Tata is a big company in India that makes many things like cars, steel, and even software. It is one of the oldest and most famous companies in India.
Airbus -: Airbus is a company from Europe that makes airplanes and helicopters. They are very well-known for making big passenger planes.
TASL -: TASL stands for Tata Advanced Systems Limited. It is a part of the Tata group that works on advanced technology projects like making parts for airplanes and helicopters.
H125 -: H125 is a type of helicopter made by Airbus. It is used for many things like transporting people, medical emergencies, and even for police work.
FAL -: FAL stands for Final Assembly Line. It is a place where all the parts of a helicopter are put together to make the final product.
Make in India -: ‘Make in India’ is a campaign started by the Indian government to encourage companies to make their products in India. This helps create jobs and boosts the economy.
