Airbus Plans “Made in India” Helicopter Launch by 2026

Airbus is preparing to deliver its first batch of helicopters assembled in India, marking a significant stride towards self-reliance in the country’s aviation sector.

Sunny Guglani, head of Airbus Helicopters in India and South Asia, announced plans for these initial deliveries during a statement on Tuesday. This milestone follows Airbus‘ collaboration with the Tata Group in January 2024 to establish a final assembly line (FAL) for H125 helicopters in India.

Airbus to deliver first batch of helicopters assembled in India

The announcement, made during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, underscores a major boost for the Make in India initiative.

Guglani outlined Airbus’ expectations, stating, “We anticipate delivering three helicopters from the final assembly line in India by 2026.” This inaugural batch sets the stage for scaling up production in the years ahead, meeting the rising demand for helicopters across the region.

The H125, renowned as the AS350 Ecureuil, is a versatile single-engine helicopter widely acclaimed for its performance across various roles including utility missions, passenger transport, law enforcement, and medical evacuation.

H125 supports India’s UDAN scheme

Airbus Helicopters also highlighted the H125‘s potential role in enhancing regional connectivity under the government’s UDAN scheme, aimed at boosting tourism and facilitating last-mile connectivity in remote areas.

Additionally, Airbus has embarked on offshore operations with the H145 helicopter, underlined by a comprehensive service contract signed with Heligo Charters Pvt Ltd earlier this year. This agreement entails deploying six H145 helicopters for transporting personnel and materials to offshore locations for the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

The deployment of the first H145 helicopter for offshore operations represents a significant achievement for Airbus in India’s energy sector. Guglani emphasized Heligo Charters’ role as the launch customer for the H145 in India’s oil and gas industry, noting its suitability for maneuvering on oil and gas helidecks due to its compact size and adaptable cabin.