Airbus-Mahindra Aerostructure Contract signing ceremony.
Mahindra Aerostructures Secures H-125 Helicopter Fuselage Manufacturing Order from Airbus: Bengaluru, India – In a significant step forward for India’s aerospace industry, Airbus has awarded Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt Ltd (MASPL) a contract to manufacture the main fuselage for the H125 helicopter. This development marks another milestone in the growing collaboration between Airbus and Indian companies, further reinforcing the government’s Make in India initiative.
The contract comes only five months after Airbus handed MASPL a similar deal for the H130 helicopter, signaling a deepening of the European aerospace giant’s commitment to India. In a statement on Thursday, Airbus confirmed that MASPL will begin industrializing the production process immediately at its Bengaluru facility, with the first fuselage expected to be delivered by 2027.
Strengthening the Global Value Chain
Airbus’ decision to award the fuselage manufacturing contract to Mahindra Aerostructures underscores India’s growing role in global aerospace manufacturing. The move is a clear demonstration of Airbus’ trust in Indian capabilities, as the country becomes an integral part of its global supply chain. The production contracts for both the H125 and H130 aerostructures, Airbus said, would significantly bolster the Make in India initiative, a program launched by the Indian government to promote local manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
“The production contracts for the H125 and H130 aerostructures to MASPL firmly integrate India into Airbus Helicopters’ global value chain,” the company said in its release. “This strengthens the country’s position as a key player in the global aerospace sector.”
The H125 helicopter, one of the world’s most popular single-engine helicopters, is used in a variety of sectors, including passenger transport, aerial work, tourism, law enforcement, medical evacuation, and rescue missions. Airbus’ decision to manufacture the fuselage for such a versatile and widely-used aircraft in India highlights the country’s potential to become a global hub for rotorcraft production.
Airbus H-125 Helicopter.
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Building an Aerospace Ecosystem in India
The deal is part of a broader strategy by Airbus to build a comprehensive, end-to-end aerospace ecosystem in India. The company is already setting up two Final Assembly Lines (FALs) in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. These FALs, designed for the assembly of the H125 helicopters and the C295 military transport aircraft, aim to bring cutting-edge manufacturing to India, creating thousands of jobs and driving technological advancements in the country.
“The collaboration with Tata and other local partners will create a fully integrated aerospace ecosystem, including design, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and training,” Airbus added. “This effort will position India as a key player in global aerospace supply chains, and in particular, strengthen the country’s position in the growing rotorcraft market.”
With its large and increasingly sophisticated aerospace sector, India is emerging as a major player in both the civil aviation and defense segments. Airbus currently sources over USD 1.4 billion worth of components and services annually from India, further cementing the country’s role as a critical manufacturing hub.
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Local Benefits and Strategic Importance
The new H125 Final Assembly Line (FAL) is poised to fuel growth in emerging civil aviation markets within India. According to Airbus, the helicopter is expected to catalyze new market segments, such as Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, and aerial work. The ‘Made in India’ H125 is also expected to meet the growing demand from the Indian armed forces, creating a domestic supply of high-quality helicopters tailored to the country’s specific needs.
In comments to the press, Jrgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus in India and South Asia, emphasized the significance of the new contract for India’s aerospace ecosystem.
“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,” said Westermeier. “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.”
The H125 assembly line and fuselage production are expected to create substantial opportunities for local suppliers and service providers. This aligns with the broader vision of boosting the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) campaign, which seeks to develop indigenous capabilities in key sectors like defense and aerospace.
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Airbus H-130 Helicopter.
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A Long-term Partnership with Airbus
The deal further strengthens the long-standing partnership between Mahindra Group and Airbus. Anish Shah, the Group CEO and Managing Director of Mahindra Group, called the contract a testament to the strength of their collaboration and its role in India’s growing aerospace sector.
“We are deeply committed to building India’s aerospace ecosystem,” Shah remarked. “This contract reflects the alignment between Airbus’ vision for India and Mahindra’s long-term goals of contributing to the country’s industrial growth. Together, we will continue to strengthen the relationship between our companies and contribute to the development of the aerospace sector in India.”
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A Vision for the Future
The partnership between Airbus and Mahindra is reflective of a larger trend in the global aerospace industry: a shift toward outsourcing more production to emerging markets with the necessary expertise and infrastructure to handle high-tech manufacturing. India, with its growing pool of skilled labor, competitive manufacturing costs, and favorable government policies, has positioned itself as a natural partner for leading aerospace companies like Airbus.
The H125 fuselage manufacturing deal is just the latest example of how India is moving toward becoming a self-reliant, globally competitive player in the aerospace industry. With Airbus already investing heavily in the country, India is well on its way to becoming a hub for advanced aerospace manufacturing, not only for civilian use but also for military and defense needs.
As the industry evolves and the Make in India initiative continues to gain momentum, the H125 fuselage contract could be a pivotal moment in the country’s transformation into an aerospace manufacturing powerhouse. With the first fuselage expected to roll off the production line in 2027, the full impact of this deal will only become clearer in the coming years—but one thing is certain: India’s place in the global aerospace ecosystem is no longer up for debate.
This partnership between Mahindra Aerostructures and Airbus highlights India’s rapidly expanding role in global aerospace manufacturing. The contract promises not only to elevate India’s aerospace sector but also to open doors to further technological advancements, local job creation, and international partnerships. The success of this initiative will undoubtedly set the stage for more such deals, further embedding India into the global aerospace supply chain.
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