‘Make in India’ programme for Helicopters

In  February 2026, Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line for the Airbus H125 at Vemagal in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. The facility was inaugurated virtually by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, and Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

The FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter from its civil range for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries. 

H130 GVHL India

Civil operations

Airbus Helicopters was the first foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to establish a dedicated customer centre for the Indian market in 2010, with a presence in key cities across the country, and has since led the domestic civil and parapublic helicopter market, accounting for more than half of new registered deliveries.

Currently, more than 100 Airbus helicopters, including best-in-class platforms such as the H125, H130, H135, Dauphin and H145, are in service with operators across the country, particularly in the energy, corporate and business aviation sectors.

Airbus is also playing an active role in developing new market segments in India such as helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), law enforcement, and aerial work, among others. The first official HEMS service was launched in India by the state of Karnataka, followed by the AIIMS hospital in Dehradun, using Airbus H130 helicopter. 

Discover our civil range
H225M

H225M

Military operations

On the military side, Airbus has a rich history of industrial collaboration with the Indian industry. In 1962 Airbus Helicopters signed an initial license agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) allowing the latter to locally manufacture the Alouette III rotorcraft. In 1970, this agreement was expanded to include the production of Lama helicopters. These helicopters are known In India as Chetah and Cheetak respectively. To date, HAL has produced more than 600 of them. 

Discover our military range
HCare production ambiance

Customer support and services

Supported by a team of highly trained professionals based in India, Airbus provides a full suite of support and services – spares and logistics, technical assistance, maintenance, training, retrofit and customisation – to its helicopter customers in India.

Discover our support and services offer

Airbus in India

Our activities

Airbus Helicopters - 50 years anniversary

Explore our range of products and services, including our military and corporate portfolios and our robust support and services offering.

The latest from Airbus Helicopters in India

In the spotlight

Visit the newsroom

Stay up to date with our latest innovations and get the latest news from civil and military helicopter operators carrying out vital missions around the world.