Airbus has joined forces with the Tata Group to inaugurate India’s inaugural helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) in a significant stride towards the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This collaboration will see Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, working in tandem with Airbus Helicopters to establish the facility. The FAL aims to manufacture Airbus’ popular H125 helicopter from its civil range, catering to both the Indian market and neighbouring countries.
This ground-breaking partnership marks a historic milestone as the private sector takes the lead in establishing a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, aligning with the Government of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) program. The announcement was made during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
The FAL will play a pivotal role in the integration of major component assemblies, avionics, and mission systems, encompassing tasks such as installing electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel systems, and engines. It will also undertake testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the broader region. Anticipated to be operational within 24 months, the FAL is expected to commence deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopters by 2026. The specific location for the FAL will be jointly determined by Airbus and the Tata Group.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, emphasized the importance of helicopters in nation-building and hailed the ‘Made-in-India’ civil helicopter as a symbol of confidence in the country’s progress. Faury underscored Airbus’ commitment to fostering the aerospace ecosystem in India, highlighting that this FAL for helicopters follows the ‘Make in India’ C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, expressed the Tata Group’s delight in establishing India’s first private-sector helicopter assembly facility in collaboration with Airbus. The facility will focus on the final assembly line for the world-renowned Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter, catering to both domestic and export markets.
The H125, renowned for its versatility and undisputed performance, is set to transform helicopter usage in India. Expected applications include passenger and goods transportation, emergency medical services, disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, and aerial work missions. The H125’s ability to provide last-mile connectivity to remote areas aligns with the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme, ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’ (UDAN), contributing significantly to the tourism sector.
As part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, the H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, boasting over 38 million flight hours globally. Its adaptability to high-and-hot environments and extreme conditions, coupled with its capability for easy reconfiguration for various missions, positions it as a versatile and reliable asset. Notably, the H125 holds the distinction of being the only helicopter to land on Mount Everest, showcasing its agility in high-altitude and challenging terrains.
This proposed helicopter manufacturing facility represents Airbus’ second FAL establishment in India, leveraging the aerospace and defense capabilities of Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The ongoing collaboration between the two entities also involves the construction of a C295 military transport aircraft FAL in Vadodara, Gujarat.
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