Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited inaugurated a final assembly line (FAL) for the H125 helicopter in Vemagal, Karnataka, on 17 February 2026. The facility is expected to deliver the first “Made in India” H125 in early 2027.
The Vemagal facility, described as India’s first private-sector helicopter FAL, will undertake full assembly, integration and testing of the H125. The companies said the new line will be integrated into Airbus’ global industrial network to enhance production of the Ecureuil family, which has accumulated more than 40 million flight hours worldwide.
The production line was inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron, in the presence of senior government ministers and leadership teams from Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems at the site. Present at Vemagal were Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of France Catherine Vautrin, and senior leadership teams from Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems.
“The production line will also be capable of producing the military variant, the H125M, representing another milestone in our long-term partnership with the Tata Group, following the implementation of the C295 military aircraft programme,” said Jürgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia.
The companies stated that the project represents an expansion of their industrial footprint for the H125 programme.
The H125 is a single-engine helicopter used in civil and para-public applications such as emergency medical services, disaster management, law enforcement, tourism and passenger transport. Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems said the facility will assemble the civil H125, with the potential to produce its military variant, the H125M, subject to future requirements.
The companies added that integrating the new FAL into Airbus’ global network is intended to support regional operators through localised maintenance and lifecycle support. They also noted that the H125 is the only helicopter to have landed on the summit of Mount Everest, highlighting its capability in high-altitude environments.
Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems said the Vemagal project marks their second major industrial collaboration in India following the C295 military transport aircraft FAL. The companies did not disclose the investment value or planned production capacity of the helicopter assembly line.
Airbus Helicopters is the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus, producing civil and military rotary-wing aircraft. Tata Advanced Systems Limited is an Indian aerospace and defence manufacturing company engaged in aerostructures, airborne systems and defence solutions.
