Airbus, Tata Group to jointly set up helicopter manufacturing facility

European aerospace firm Airbus on Friday introduced that it’s going to arrange a last meeting line (FAL) for H125 civilian helicopters in India in partnership with the Tata Group. This will likely be India’s first personal helicopter manufacturing facility.

“The FAL will take 24 months to arrange, and deliveries of the primary ‘Made in India’ H125s are anticipated to begin in 2026. The placement of the FAL will likely be collectively determined by Airbus and the Tata Group,” Airbus’s assertion famous.

Underneath this partnership, Tata Superior Programs Restricted (TASL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, will arrange the ability together with Airbus Helicopters.

The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility would be the second FAL to be established in India by Airbus in partnership with TASL. The 2 firms are presently constructing the C295 navy transport plane FAL in Vadodara, Gujarat.

India presently has fewer than 250 civilian helicopters in service as in comparison with greater than 15,000 which might be working within the US.

“The (helicopter) FAL in India will undertake the mixing of the key part assemblies, avionics and mission methods, set up {of electrical} harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic elements, gas system, and the engine. It would additionally do testing, qualification, and supply of the H125 to clients in India and the area,” Airbus talked about.

These made-in-India helicopters can even be exported to among the neighbouring nations.

The announcement concerning the helicopter FAL was made throughout the two-day go to of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Visitor on the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

N Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons, stated, “The Tata Group is delighted to arrange India’s first helicopter meeting facility within the personal sector. This facility could have the ultimate meeting line in partnership with Airbus for the world’s bestselling Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter for the Indian in addition to export markets.”

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury stated, “Helicopters are essential for nation-building. A ‘Made-in-India’ civil helicopter is not going to solely be a logo of the assured New India however can even unlock the true potential of the helicopter market within the nation.”

“This helicopter last meeting line, which we’ll construct along with our trusted accomplice Tata, is a reaffirmation of Airbus’ dedication to creating the complete spectrum of the aerospace ecosystem in India. This would be the second last meeting line Airbus is constructing in India after the ‘Make in India’ C295 navy plane manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat,” he added.

Together with the transportation of passengers and items, the H125 can be utilized for segments resembling emergency medical providers (HEMS), catastrophe administration, regulation enforcement, tourism, and aerial work missions.

“Offering last-mile connectivity to distant areas, the H125 will considerably contribute to India’s regional connectivity scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) that may additional promote the tourism sector within the nation,” Airbus famous.

First Printed: Jan 26 2024 | 6:24 PM IST