TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus on Friday signed a Memorandum of Agreement to establish an Final Assembly Line (FAL) for H125 helicopters in India. It is highly likely that the production facility will be set up in Gujarat.
During French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent two-day state visit for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations, both nations inked deals across diverse sectors, including defence, space, aviation, science, health, administration, and urban development. Additionally, collaborations were announced in UPI, renewable energy, and visa matters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for Tata Group’s India C295 Programme Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara in October 2022. Thus, the likelihood of helicopter manufacturing in Gujarat is considerable.
“The FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter from its civil range for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries,” said Airbus in a press statement.
“The FAL will be the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, providing a major boost to the Government of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) programme. Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters,” the statement further added.
“Helicopters are crucial for nation building. A ‘Made-in-India’ civil helicopter will not only be a symbol of the confident New India but will also unlock the true potential of the helicopter market in the country,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO. “This helicopter final assembly line, which we will build together with our trusted partner Tata, is a reaffirmation of Airbus’ commitment to developing the full spectrum of the aerospace ecosystem in India. This will be the second final assembly line Airbus is building in India after the ‘Make in India’ C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.”
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, said, “The Tata Group is delighted to set up India’s first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector. This facility will have the final assembly line in partnership with Airbus for the world’s bestselling Airbus H125 single engine helicopter for the Indian as well as export markets.”