Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have announced a collaboration that will produce the single-engine helicopter Airbus H125 (which was previously known as the Airbus AS350B3 Eurecil) in India. The Airbus H125, holds the distinction of being the only helicopter that has landed at the top of Everest and the final assembly line will be Vemagal in Karnataka, with delivery of the first helicopter to be expected to begin by 2026.
The production of the H125 in India aligns with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, a loose translation this phrase means a “self-sufficient India”, and this is an initiative that prioritizes self-reliance in critical manufacturing sectors. The news comes days after the the state warplane maker of India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), signed a contract worth $7 billion for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft – a plane that has up to 64% of materials indigenous to India.
Airbus H125 helicopter manufacturing in India
More than 6,500 units of the Airbus H125 have been delivered globally. This aircraft type has accumulated over 38 million flight hours. As the Safran Arriel 2D engine of the H125 allows for operations at altitudes above 20,000 feet, these choppers are ideal for missions in the Himalayan terrain that encompasses nations such as India, Nepal, among others.
This statement was echoed by Airbus, which claimed that the ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter will “help develop new civil and para-public market segments and also meet the Indian armed force’s requirement for a light multi-role helicopter, especially on the icy heights of the country’s Himalayan frontiers”. The production of the H125 in India has the potential of furthering the helicopter’s presence in places such as the Everest Base Camp, where it is used for a helicopter tour.
Here’s a brief into the chopper:
Dimensions
| Specification | Value |
| D-value | 12.94 m |
| Rotor diameter | 10.69 m |
| Cabin internal volume (excluding pilot’s area) | 3.00 m³ |
This is not the first time Airbus is partnering with India. More than six decades ago, the aerospace manufacturer collaborated with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters – two rotorcraft that have served the Indian armed forces with distinction. Airbus calls the H125M “an ideal successor to these helicopters”. This sentiment was echoed by Jürgen Westermeier, the President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia:
“India is an ideal helicopter country. A ‘Made in India’ helicopter will help develop this market and position helicopters as an essential tool for nation-building……We are extremely glad to be adding this new chapter to our multi-faceted relationship with our trusted partners Tata.”
Where will the Airbus H125 be manufactured in India?
Following the C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility by Tata Advanced Systems in Vadodara, the H125 final assembly line Tata’s second Airbus assembly plant. [On a side note: Tata is the name of a person who took Air India to its glorious heights, but the carrier has fallen off a pedestal. You can read about it in our guide below:
Sukaran Singh, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Advanced Systems, is hopeful that the H125 manufacturing in Vemagal in Karnataka might be as glorious as JRD Tata’s first voyage into aviation:
“Tata Advanced Systems is proud to be the first private sector company in India to build helicopters. This will bolster both civil and defence requirements. This is our second FAL in collaboration with Airbus and further reinforces the partnership between Tata and Airbus for India. Tata Advanced Systems is well placed in the Indian aerospace sector with capability to build and deliver fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters for the nation’s requirements”.
Previous examples of helicopter production in india
India has attempted domestic helicopter manufacturing before, primarily through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Models such as the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) have been produced domestically, though largely for defense purposes rather than civilian markets.
The H125 can have various seating configurations:
| Seating Capacity | Best Suited For | Key Features |
| 4 Passengers (1 pilot + 4) | VIP, private, and business aviation | Forward-facing seats, spacious cabin, comfortable for productivity and privacy |
| 5 Passengers (1 pilot + 5) | Commercial transport operations | Standard H125 layout, ample legroom, smooth ride |
| 6 Passengers (1 pilot + 6) | Tourism and sightseeing | Compact cabin with wide visibility, ensures every passenger has great views |
Photo: Chhutin Sherpa | aviospace.orgThe Airbus-Tata program, therefore, represents a distinct departure as it focuses on the civilian and commercial rotary sector. Below is a table comparing notable helicopter production initiatives in India:
| Year | Helicopter Type | Manufacturer | Focus Market | Outcome |
| 2002 | HAL Dhruv | HAL | Military/Civil | Successful, in service with Indian Armed Forces |
| 2010 | HAL LUH | HAL | Military | Entered service in 2022 |
| 2025 | Airbus H125 | Tata-Airbus | Civil/Export | Final assembly line to start by 2026 |
| Project / Event | Nature of Localisation | Partner / Host | Key Challenges or Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus-Tata C295 assembly in Vadodara, Gujarat | Final assembly of fixed-wing military transport | Airbus & Tata |
|
| Mahindra fuselage production for H125 | Aerostructure subcontracting | Airbus & MASPL |
|
A brief into the H125, the helicopter to be manufactured in India
Let’s take a look into the performance of this chopper that has various distinctions, achieved with helicopter pilot, Didier Delsalle:
| Performance Metric | Specification |
|---|---|
| Hover ceiling OGE @ MTOW, ISA | 3,871 m (EASA certification) |
| Hover ceiling IGE @ MTOW, ISA | 4,420 m |
| Fast cruise speed @ MTOW | 252 km/h |
| Max range @ fast cruise speed | 630 km |
| Max endurance @ fast cruise speed | 4 hr, 27 min |
| Flight envelope (temperature) | -40°C to ISA +35°C (limited to 50°C) |
| Max altitude flight | 7,010 m |
Let’s also take a look at its few other features:
| Characteristic | Specification |
| Crew + Passengers | 1 pilot + 6 passengers or 2 pilots + 4 passengers |
| Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW – dual hydraulics) | 2,370 kg |
| Max Takeoff Weight (with external load) | 2,800 kg |
| Useful Load | 1,075 kg |
| Standard Fuel Tank Capacity | 425 kg |
| Engine Type | Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2D |
| Takeoff Power | 710 kW / 952 shp |
Bottom Line
While the H125 doesn’t have an service ceiling as high as the height of Mt. Everest, this helicopter that is set to be manufactured in India, has landed at the top of the tallest peak.
If the plans of manufacturing this chopper in Karnataka is successfully executed, the program could establish India as a credible hub for civil helicopter manufacturing, and have positive reverberations in the helicopter industry of the South East Asia region.