Airbus Selects Mahindra to Build H125 Helicopter Main Fuselage

• Mahindra to build H125 helicopter fuselage
• Bengaluru facility to start, first delivery by 2027
• Supports HEMS, law enforcement, and aerial work growth

In its continued expansion of Make in India initiatives, Airbus has signed a new contract with Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt Ltd (MASPL) for the supply of the main fuselage of their H125 helicopters.

This new contract continues the spirit of Make in India, following a contract awarded in April 2023 for the H130 helicopter fuselage. With the Industrialisation of the H125 fuselage to begin immediately at MASPL's Bengaluru facility, Airbus expects the first deliveries to be completed in 2027.

Airbus stated, "The production contracts for the H125 and H130 aerostructures to MASPL firmly integrate India into Airbus Helicopters' global value chain, strengthening the country's 'Make in India' initiative".

The H125, along with the H130, is one of the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopters, and it is extensively used in a variety of operations, including, passenger transport, aerial work, tourism, law enforcement, medical evacuation and rescue missions.

In the make in India spirit, Airbus has a significant footprint in India within civil aviation and defence sectors, and is establishing two Final Assembly Lines (FAL) for H125 helicopters, and C295 military aircraft with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd.

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The statement added, "Together, these initiatives aim to build a comprehensive, end-to-end aerospace ecosystem that includes local design, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance and training".

Airbus currently sources USD 1.4 billion worth of components and services every year from India, showing India's increasing importance in its global supply chain. The H125 FAL is expected to assist the growth of civil aviation segments in India, including Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, and aerial work.

Jürgen Westermeier, then Airbus' President & Managing Director for India and South Asia, stated the contract shows the great capabilities of Airbus' Indian partners.

"This significant H125 work package, along with our existing H130 partnership and the under-construction H125 FAL, demonstrates our confidence in India as a critical hub for global aerospace manufacturing. We are not just building helicopters in India; we are building an entire ecosystem that will contribute to developing and maturing the rotorcraft market in India," he said.

Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of Mahindra Group, said the deal strengthens the long-term partnership with Airbus and emphasizes the role both companies are playing to further develop India's aerospace ecosystem.

This step shows Airbus' effort to increase domestic manufacturing, while also using India's labor and infrastructure, is consistent with the broader national vision of advancing its aerospace capabilities as part of India’s Make in India initiative.