Tata Group & Airbus to set up India’s first private H125 helicopter assembly plant in Karnataka; first deliveries expected by 2027

In a significant boost to India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus Helicopters have confirmed plans to build the country’s first privately owned helicopter assembly facility in Vemagal, Karnataka. 

The new plant will assemble the Airbus H125 helicopter and is expected to deliver its first “Made in India” units by early 2027. The facility represents a major step for India’s ambitions in both civil and defence aviation.

India’s First Private Helicopter Plant to Take Off in Karnataka

The Vemagal facility in Karnataka’s Kolar district will become India’s first helicopter final assembly line under private ownership. 

Airbus and Tata evaluated multiple locations before selecting Vemagal as the ideal site for production.

Airbus Helicopters tweeted, “We have announced a partnership with @TataCompanies to establish a Final Assembly Line in the country.”

The plant will handle the integration of key subsystems including avionics, flight controls, mission systems, hydraulic circuits, and fuel systems. It will also carry out testing, quality checks, and final flight evaluations before helicopters are delivered to customers.

At the start, the facility is expected to assemble 10 helicopters annually, with potential to increase production depending on demand. 

TASL CEO Sukaran Singh said, “Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private sector company in India to build helicopters. This will bolster both civil and defence requirements. This is our second FAL in collaboration with Airbus and further reinforces the partnership between Tata and Airbus for India."

Also Read: OpenAI rolls out Sora 2, its most advanced video generation model to rival TikTok, YouTube

Expanding India’s Aerospace Capabilities

This new venture marks a significant expansion of India’s aerospace capabilities. While Airbus already has a presence in India in other segments, rotorcraft production has so far been limited to government initiatives. 

The H125, known for its performance at high altitudes, including Mount Everest, will now be produced locally for civil, law enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief, and passenger transport missions.

Airbus India President Jürgen Westermeier said, “India is an ideal helicopter country. A ‘Made in India’ helicopter will help develop this market and position helicopters as an essential tool for nation-building.” 

There are also plans to develop a military version, the H125M, with a high degree of local content for defence operations.

The Vemagal plant will complement Tata-Airbus’s existing C295 aircraft assembly facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, further strengthening India’s domestic aerospace infrastructure.

The Tata-Airbus helicopter assembly line in Vemagal represents a major milestone for India’s aviation industry. As the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly plant, it will create jobs, boost technical skills, and strengthen India’s self-reliance in aerospace production. 

With deliveries set to begin in 2027, India is on track to see more helicopters taking to the skies, built entirely on home soil. 

Also Read:Delhi man slams Uber after driver threatens sister saying “I don’t care if my ID is deactivated, I’ll teach girls how they should travel”