Tata, Airbus ink deal to make H125 single-engine choppers in India

Airbus and the Tata group have signed an agreement to jointly manufacture European aircraft maker’s H125 single-engine helicopters for commercial use in Gujarat’s Vadodara.

They will also make at least forty C-295 transport aircraft at the Vadodara facility, which would be overseen by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL).

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on January 26 announced that India and France have reached agreements on a defence-industrial roadmap and a defence space partnership.

The deal was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India, he said.

The growing ties between France and India, particularly in defence, nuclear energy, and space, have contributed to the strengthening of diplomatic relations.

In 2023, Modi attended the Bastille Day celebrations in France during which plans for additional submarine purchases and Rafale fighter jets were unveiled.

The Tata-Airbus H125 deal is expected to address the growing demand for such helicopters in India, which spans various sectors and also includes interest from high-networth individuals (HNIs) and applications for transporting goods and responding to medical emergencies.

Reports suggest an immediate demand for up to 800 choppers, pointing to the market potential for this type of aircraft in India.

The foundation stone of the Tata-Airbus facility was laid by Modi in 2023 , marking India’s entry into a select group of around a dozen nations with the capability to produce C-295 transport aircraft. The project is expected to significantly support the government’s ‘Make In India’ initiative.

The facility is part of a Rs 21,935-crore deal announced a year ago.

Airbus and TASL have multiple agreements in place. TASL recently announced an agreement to manufacture and supply components to Airbus for commercial jets, including the A320 and A350.