Airbus Helicopters will partner with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the country. The FAL will be the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India. The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on 26 January, 2024.

Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters. The facility will produce Airbus H125 helicopters from its civil range for India and for exporting to neighbouring countries. It will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, fuel system and the engine. Besides, it will also carry out testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers.

The fcaility is anticipated to be set up in 24 months, with deliveries of the first 'Made in India' H125s expected to commence in 2026. It will revolutionise passenger and goods transportation and will also assist with emergency medical services (HEMS), disaster management, tourism and aerial work missions.

The proposed facility will be the second such facility to be established in India by Airbus, leveraging TASL's capabilities in aerospace and defence, following the ‘Make in India’ C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.