Airbus has identified 8 potential site locations for setting up its final assembly line for the H125 helicopters in India

Airbus, the French aircraft manufacturer, has identified eight potential site locations for setting up its final assembly line for the H125 helicopters in India. Olivier Michalon, executive vice president of global business at Airbus Helicopters, stated that the company is in the final assessment stage and will announce the selected site shortly.

The new facility will be the fourth Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the H125 helicopters, aiming to produce up to 10 single-engine helicopters annually, with the potential to increase production due to high market demand. Michalon highlighted that India is seen as a future market for helicopters, despite its current small size and restrictive market regulations. Airbus is working to make the regulatory environment more conducive to growth.

The inauguration ceremony for the new facility is expected in October or November this year, with operations starting in 2026 and deliveries commencing by the end of that year. The H125 helicopter is the bestselling model in the South Asian and Indian regions, capable of carrying up to six people. Airbus anticipates a demand for 500 H125 helicopters over the next 20 years.

Sunny Guglani, head of Airbus Helicopters India and South Asia, mentioned that the company plans to produce 10 helicopters per year initially and will ramp up production as demand increases. The focus is on providing "Make in India solutions" to support locally built helicopters.

The cost of the base model of the H125 helicopter will be approximately 3.2 million euros. In addition to the H125 FAL, Airbus is constructing a FAL unit for its C295 aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat. The H125 helicopters built in India will undergo integration of component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel systems, and the aircraft engine.

Airbus currently has 350 civil and parapublic helicopters in India and South Asia

Airbus currently has 350 civil and parapublic helicopters in India and South Asia, with around 250 in service in India. The majority of these are from the H125 and H130 series.