Airbus and Tata Group Team Up to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Assembly Line under the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Airbus Helicopters has announced its collaboration with Tata Group to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the nation, which is a significant step toward promoting “Made in India.” From its civil range, the FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter for India and export it to some of its neighboring nations.
As the first private company to establish a helicopter manufacturing plant in India, the FAL will significantly advance the government of India’s “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative. Under this agreement, Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a Tata Group affiliate, will establish the facility.
Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO said, “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. 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.“
The H125, manufactured in India, is unmatched in its class and will encourage helicopter usage there. This multi-purpose vehicle is expected to transform both passenger and freight transportation, as well as serve several other industries including emergency medical services (HEMS), tourism, law enforcement, disaster relief, and aerial work missions. By delivering last-mile connectivity to isolated locations, the H125 will play a major role in the Government of India’s regional connectivity program, Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN), which would further boost the nation’s tourism industry).
The H125 outperforms other helicopters in its class and is the best-selling single-engine helicopter worldwide. Airbus’ Ecureuil family of helicopters, which has amassed over 38 million flight hours globally, includes this highly capable and adaptable chopper. Extremely hot and high altitude conditions are no match for it, and it can easily adapted for a wide range of missions, such as air ambulance, law enforcement, aerial work, firefighting, rescue, and passenger transport, among many others.
Due to its unique ability to operate in harsh, high-altitude conditions, the H125 is the only helicopter to have made a landing on Mount Everest. Making use of TASL’s aerospace and defense expertise, Airbus plans to build a second FAL in India for the production of helicopters. Built in Vadodara by the two companies, the C295 military transport aircraft FAL.
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Airbus is expanding its industrial footprint in India through aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering and digital design and development, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training, and academic collaboration to foster human capital. This latest announcement is part of the company’s efforts to create a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem in India.
Question – What will the new FAL produce?
Answer – The FAL will initially assemble the Airbus H125, their best-selling single-engine helicopter, for both India and export markets.
Question – How will this benefit India?
Answer – This initiative will boost India’s “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” program by making helicopters in India, creating jobs, and potentially lowering costs.
Question – What’s next for Airbus and helicopter manufacturing in India?
Answer – Airbus plans to establish a second FAL in India for helicopter production, leveraging Tata’s expertise and further expanding their aerospace ecosystem in the country.
Note– MRO Business Today is the Principal Media Partner of the 5th MRO SOUTH ASIA SUMMIT 2024 co-located with the MRO XPO INDIA & AIRCRAFT INTERIORS INDIA 2024 to be held on 27,28 & 29 February 2024 at the Le Méridien New Delhi, India.
