Airbus, in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited, has launched a final assembly facility for the H125 helicopter in Karnataka, establishing India’s first privately run rotary-wing production site. The move aligns with the government’s ambition to expand indigenous aerospace capabilities.
Situated in Vemagal near Bengaluru, the plant will assemble the civil H125 before transitioning to the tactical H125M variant. Activities will encompass integration, testing, component fabrication, and long-term maintenance support. Production of the first units is scheduled for early 2027.
The H125, measuring 13 meters in length with an 11-meter rotor span, is deployed globally for law enforcement, disaster relief, medical missions, and passenger transport. Its military adaptation is tailored for high-altitude performance, suited to operations in India’s mountainous northern regions.
Equipped with a 952-hp Safran Arriel 2D engine, the helicopter operates at altitudes up to 7,010 meters, reaches speeds of 252 km/h, and has a 630-kilometer range. It can remain airborne for over four hours, carry six occupants, and lift payloads exceeding one metric ton.
