Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus Helicopters have announced plans to establish India’s first privately owned helicopter assembly facility in Vemagal, Karnataka. The plant will assemble the Airbus H125 helicopter, with the first “Made in India” units expected to be delivered by early 2027. This marks a major step forward for India’s civil and defence aviation sectors.
Vemagal Selected for Production
The facility, located in Karnataka’s Kolar district, will be the country’s first final assembly line for helicopters under private ownership. Airbus and Tata evaluated multiple locations before choosing Vemagal as the optimal site.
The plant will integrate key systems such as avionics, flight controls, mission systems, hydraulics, and fuel circuits. It will also carry out testing, quality assurance, and final flight evaluations before delivery to customers. Initially, the facility will assemble around 10 helicopters per year, with the potential to expand 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 facility will strengthen both civil and defence capabilities and further reinforce our partnership with Airbus.”
Expanding India’s Aerospace Capabilities
The Vemagal assembly line represents a significant expansion of India’s aerospace capabilities. While Airbus has other operations in India, rotorcraft production has largely been limited to government projects.
The H125, capable of high-altitude performance including operations near Mount Everest, will be produced locally for civilian, law enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief, and passenger transport missions. Plans are also underway to develop a military variant, the H125M, featuring a high degree of local content for defence use.
Airbus India President Jürgen Westermeier said, “India is an ideal market for helicopters. Producing ‘Made in India’ helicopters will help develop this sector and position rotorcraft as essential tools for nation-building.”
Complementing Existing Infrastructure
The Vemagal plant will complement Tata-Airbus’s C295 aircraft assembly facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, strengthening India’s domestic aerospace infrastructure.
A Milestone for India
The new helicopter assembly line is a landmark achievement for India’s aviation industry. As the country’s first private-sector helicopter plant, it is expected to generate employment, enhance technical skills, and support self-reliance in aerospace production. With deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027, India is set to see more helicopters taking to the skies, built entirely on home soil.
