Europe Signed Aviation Pact with India to Boost Aviation Manufacturing Hub.

• India and the European Union have concluded a working arrangement on industrial aviation production that will support cooperation between the two sides and “Make in India” production aligned with EU standards.
• The working arrangement was signed by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on March 23
• Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have established a final assembly line at Vemagal in Karnataka to manufacture the H125 single-engine helicopter, and the facility was inaugurated in February. 
• Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus officially inaugurated India's first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) on February 17, 2026, to produce the Airbus H125 (historically known as the AS350 Écureuil).

To strengthen India’s aviation manufacturing ecosystem, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has entered into a Working Arrangement with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the production of Airbus AS350 B3 (H125) helicopters in India.

The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of both regulators in overseeing the civil certification and production process, that's aligned with the Government of India’s Make in India initiative and the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s efforts to promote indigenous manufacturing.

EU ambassador Herve Delphin on Friday described the arrangement as a concrete example of bilateral industrial cooperation aligned with the 27-member bloc’s world-class safety standards and export certificates that will help deliver aircraft products for the world market.

In January 2024, Airbus Helicopters had announced its partnership with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in India. The FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter from its civil range for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries. 

With the first deliveries expected in 2027, Airbus Helicopters has established a final assembly line for the AS350 B3 (H125) helicopter at Vemagal in Karnataka, in partnership with Indian Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

Key Details of the Partnership

• Location: The assembly line is situated in the Vemagal Industrial Area (near Kolar, approximately 50 km from Bengaluru) on a 17-acre site.
• Production Scope: The FAL will handle the integration of major component assemblies, avionics, mission systems, and the installation of electrical harnesses and engines.
• Output: It is expected to produce approximately 500 H125 helicopters over the next 20 years.
• Timeline: While the facility was inaugurated in early 2026, the first "Made in India" H125 is scheduled for delivery in early 2027.
• Variants: Primarily focused on the civil H125, the facility is also capable of producing the H125M military variant to meet the Indian armed forces' requirements for high-altitude missions.

This venture is Airbus's fourth global assembly line for the H125, following facilities in France, the USA, and Brazil. The helicopters produced here will serve both domestic Indian customers and regional export markets in South Asia. 

India’s civil aviation sector has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, and this collaboration is expected to further deepen regulatory cooperation between DGCA and EASA. The arrangement is set to provide a strong foundation for manufacturing excellence, foster innovation, and strengthen ancillary industries.

The initiative is also anticipated to create a multiplier effect across the aviation value chain, contributing to employment generation and boosting the overall aerospace ecosystem in the country.

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.