Friday, January 26, 2024
In a significant boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Airbus Helicopters has revealed a strategic partnership with the Tata Group to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters within the country. The FAL is slated to manufacture Airbus’ popular H125 helicopter from its civil range, catering to the Indian market and facilitating exports to neighboring countries.
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment as it represents the first instance of the private sector establishing a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, aligning with the Government of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) program. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, will collaborate with Airbus Helicopters to establish and operate the facility.
The announcement was made during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
The FAL in India will be responsible for integrating major component assemblies, avionics, and mission systems, as well as handling tasks such as installing electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel systems, and engines. Additionally, the facility will conduct testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the surrounding region. The establishment of the FAL is expected to take 24 months, with the first ‘Made in India’ H125s anticipated to be delivered in 2026. The location of the FAL will be determined jointly by Airbus and the Tata Group.
“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.”
The H125, renowned for its performance and versatility, is part of Airbus’ Ecureuil family and holds the title of the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter. Capable of operating in high-and-hot and extreme environments, the H125 can be easily reconfigured for various missions, including passenger transport, emergency medical services, disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, and aerial work missions.
The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility represents Airbus’ second Final Assembly Line to be established in India, leveraging TASL’s expertise in aerospace and defense. Airbus and Tata are already collaborating on the C295 military transport aircraft FAL in Vadodara, Gujarat.
This latest announcement is part of Airbus’ broader efforts to develop a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem in India, encompassing aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering and digital design, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training, and academic collaboration to foster human capital.
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