The delivery of India’s first Made in India Airbus H125 helicopter is anticipated in early 2027, with plans for its export to the South Asian region, as announced on Wednesday. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is set to establish India’s first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for these helicopters in Vemagal, Karnataka, which is expected to unlock significant potential in the rotorcraft market across South Asia. Jurgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, emphasized that this initiative will position helicopters as vital tools for nation-building and enhance India’s capabilities in both civil and defense aviation. The H125 helicopter is aimed at addressing the needs of the Indian Armed Forces for a light multi-role helicopter, particularly applicable in the challenging terrains of the Himalayan frontiers, with plans for a military variant, the H125M, to be produced featuring a high level of indigenization. Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL, expressed pride in being the first private sector entity in India to manufacture helicopters, highlighting the project’s potential to bolster the nation’s aviation industry, which includes critical services such as emergency medical flights, disaster relief, tourism, and law enforcement. This development not only strengthens the collaboration between Tata and Airbus but also marks a significant advancement in India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing, positioning the country as a key player in the regional aerospace sector while addressing both internal defense requirements and international market opportunities.