Modi and Macron inaugurate H125 helicopter assembly line at Tata-Airbus facility in Karnataka
Written by admin on February 18, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually on Tuesday (February 18) inaugurated the Airbus H125 light utility helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Tata-Airbus’ facility in the Vemagal Industrial Area in Karnataka.
The virtual inauguration took place from Mumbai, where the two leaders are holding high-level engagements as part of President Macron’s visit to India. The inaugural ceremony at the site was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin.
The assembly line is India’s first private-sector helicopter final assembly line, set up by Tata Advanced Systems Limited to produce Airbus H125 helicopters at Vemagal, Karnataka.
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Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh said the investment into the H-125 helicopter programme is anticipated to cross ₹1,000 crore and is likely to create direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Calling it a “shining example” of mutually beneficial partnership with friendly countries in high-end manufacturing, he congratulated Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Helicopters on the project.
Singh also recalled Tata and Airbus’s earlier collaboration on the C-295 aircraft project in Gujarat’s Vadodara, which he described as a symbol of how India can work with international OEMs to contribute to the vision of a stronger India.
The Defence Minister said “Make in India”, and self-reliance has been the cornerstone of India’s economic policy since 2014, with a focus on achieving self-reliance in critical technology and manufacturing of high-end products through partnerships.
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He highlighted reforms in the defence sector that have increased the private sector’s contribution to almost a quarter of total defence production, while defence exports have increased manifold.
(With inputs from PTI)
