Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the final assembly line of H-125 helicopters built jointly by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus at Vemagal in Karnataka.
Addressing a joint press meet after the inauguration, PM Modi said, “We take pride in the fact that, together, India and France will manufacture in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest and export it to the entire world.”
Modi said the inauguration of the helicopter assembly line in India reflects the deep trust between New Delhi and Paris. Highlighting the joint manufacturing initiative with France, Modi said India and France will produce in India the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the heights of Mount Everest, with plans to export it globally. He added that the India–France partnership has “no boundaries”, extending from
the deep oceans to the tallest mountains.
French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the warm welcome on his fourth official visit to India, describing bilateral ties as “remarkable and unique”. He said the two nations have decided to elevate their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, built on trust, openness and ambition.
The ‘Made in India’ H125 helicopter will help meet the Indian armed force’s requirement for a light multi-role helicopter and develop new civil and para-public market segments. It will essentially contribute to army operations on the icy heights of the country’s Himalayan frontiers. Tata and Airbus plan include a military version, the H125M, which will be offered out of this Indian factory with high levels of indigenised components and technologies.
The delivery of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected in early 2027, TASL said in a release earlier, adding that the helicopter will be available for exports in the South Asian region as well.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to boost ties in key sectors such as trade, defence, energy and critical technologies.
Macron landed in Mumbai early this morning on a three-day visit to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and meet PM Modi.