'H-125 Helicopter line to create jobs and boost India’s defence exports': Rajnath Singh

India and France have inaugurated a final assembly line for Airbus H125 helicopters at Vemagal, Karnataka, in a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. The Rs 1,000 crore programme is expected to boost defence manufacturing, generate employment, and produce ‘Made in India’ helicopters for domestic use and export from 2027.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin on Tuesday attended the inauguration of the final assembly line for Airbus H125 helicopters at Vemagal in Karnataka. Indian Air Force chief AP Singh was also present at the ceremony.

The facility has been set up as a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus, marking a significant step in India’s push to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Singh said, “Coming to the unveiling of the final assembly line that we are witnessing today, the H-125 programme investment is anticipated to exceed Rs 1,000 crore and is likely to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for our skilled and hard-working younger generation.”

He noted that the public sector had historically dominated India’s defence production. “As a result, the private sector’s contribution to total defence production and exports was less than desirable. Our defence exports have increased manifold, putting India among the world's top defence exporters. This growth trajectory has also given a massive boost to MSMEs and the ancillary sector. A large number of foreign companies currently source many components from Indian MSMEs. We invite companies to deepen this partnership through meaningful technology transfer and offer advanced solutions to meet the security needs of other countries as well,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the assembly line. Speaking at a press meet afterwards, Mr 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.”