Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems have inaugurated India’s first privately managed final assembly line for the H125 helicopter in Karnataka, reinforcing efforts to deepen the country’s aerospace manufacturing footprint.
The Vemagal-based facility near Bengaluru will assemble both the civil H125 and, in later phases, the H125M military model. The site will handle integration, testing, parts production, and sustainment services, with initial deliveries planned for 2027.
The 13-meter-long H125, featuring an 11-meter rotor diameter, serves in roles ranging from security and disaster response to medevac and passenger transport worldwide. Its armed forces version is engineered for demanding high-altitude missions along India’s Himalayan border.
Driven by a 952-horsepower Safran Arriel 2D engine, the helicopter boasts a service ceiling of 7,010 meters, a top speed of 252 km/h, and a flight range of 630 kilometers. It offers endurance beyond four hours and a payload capacity of 1,075 kilograms.
