Bengaluru: In a major boost to India’s aerospace ambitions, Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) are teaming up to establish the country’s first privately-owned helicopter assembly plant in Kolar, Karnataka. The facility will produce Airbus’s top-selling H125 helicopters, marking a significant milestone in India’s “Make in India” initiative.
This Final Assembly Line (FAL) will cater to both domestic and regional civil aviation markets, with an initial output of 10 helicopters per year. Positioned as a key strategic project, it aims to elevate India as a global aerospace manufacturing hub and accelerate the nation’s push toward technological self-reliance.
Airbus has ambitious plans to expand operations to meet a target of delivering 500 light helicopters in South Asia over the next 20 years.
While several states competed for the project, Karnataka secured it due to its pro-industry policies, skilled workforce, and status as the home base of TASL. The plant is expected to not only spur regional development but also attract more investment in India’s growing aerospace sector.
