Airbus to set up H125 helicopter final assembly line in Kolar

Kolar

Airbus, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer, is set to establish a final assembly line (FAL) for its popular H125 civil helicopter in Karnataka’s Kolar district. While Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district was also considered, the Vemagal industrial area in Kolar has reportedly been finalized as the project site.

The helicopter unit will be developed through a joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). TASL already operates several facilities in the Vemagal region, including a satellite manufacturing unit, making the location a suitable choice for the new helicopter assembly plant.

The H125 class helicopters are in high demand globally. Industry estimates suggest a requirement for about 500 helicopters annually over the next two decades in this region alone. Initially, the Kolar facility aims to produce 10 helicopters per year, with plans to gradually increase capacity in the coming years.

This will be Airbus’s first H125 civil helicopter production line in India. Globally, similar facilities are currently located in France, Brazil, and the United States, making India the fourth country to host such a unit. The project positions Karnataka’s Kolar district on the global aerospace map.

Airbus faced stiff competition from Andhra Pradesh to secure the location of this unit. However, Karnataka’s existing aerospace ecosystem and the presence of multiple TASL ventures gave the state an edge in attracting the project.