TASL Makes Headway as India’s First Private Helicopter Manufacturer

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Airbus Helicopters signed an agreement on Tuesday to establish a final assembly line (FAL) in India for the single-engine H125 helicopters. This initiative marks a significant step for the country's aerospace sector as it will be the first private-sector helicopter assembly facility in India, producing Airbus' H125 choppers for both India and neighboring regions.

The contract was formalized at the Farnborough International Airshow, as confirmed by a joint statement from Airbus and TASL. The announcement of the FAL setup was initially made on January 26 by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. The first deliveries of the 'Made in India' H125 helicopters are anticipated to begin in 2026.

Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting that this collaboration, leveraging TASL's expertise in airborne platforms and its ongoing partnership with Airbus, aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative and addresses India's expanding helicopter market potential. He emphasized that the project will bolster helicopter manufacturing capabilities in India and support the growth of civil aviation.

Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even shared his optimism about the partnership, stating that the locally assembled H125 helicopters will help unlock the promising Indian market and open new civil and parapublic markets, such as Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and other public services. He added that this collaboration with Tata Group, a trusted partner with a diverse partnership with Airbus, marks a pioneering journey.

The FAL will be responsible for integrating major component assemblies, avionics, and mission systems, as well as installing electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel systems, and the engine. Additionally, the facility will carry out testing and qualification of the helicopters.